POEMS FOR MY MOMBy Allison Moyer

DEDICATED TO: MY MOTHER, LISA MOYER

This collection of poems is dedicated to my mom, Lisa Moyer, in the hopes that its poems will inspire, be thought provoking, and bring memories.

“NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY”BY ROBERT FROST

Nature’s first green is goldHer hardest hue to hold.

Her early leaf’s a flower;But only so an hour.

Then leaf subsides to leaf.So Eden sank to grief,

So dawn goes down to day.Nothing gold can stay.

EXPLICATION OF “NOTHING GOLD CAN STAY”

This poem was written in 1923 and published in a collection of poems titled New Hampshire. This poem uses nature as a metaphor for the fleeting feeling of life. The poem grabs the readers attention through vivid imagery and rhyming pattern. The poem uses gold as something of high value, and describes the fleeting nature of such good things. This poem gives both feelings of hope but also of bitterness and loss.

This poem, “Nothing Gold Can Stay” by Robert Frost is one of my favorite poems. This poem evokes vivid imagery, while also having a morbid and sad tone. The imagery captures the readers attention, and the tone gives the reader a feeling of both hope and depression. The poem gives the idea that nothing brilliant can last, and that the mundane and repetitive are the norm. However, I choose this story because I am optimistic about this poem, that the truly great parts may not last forever, but they are there. I chose this poem to inspire my mother to be optimistic in even the darkest times.

“PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE” BY EMILY BRONTE

Tell me, tell me, smiling child,What the past is like to thee?‘An Autumn evening soft and mildWith a wind that sighs mournfully.’

Tell me, what is the present hour?‘A green and flowery sprayWhere a young bird sits gathering its powerTo mount and fly away.’

And what is the future, happy one?‘A sea beneath a cloudless sun;A mighty, glorious, dazzling seaStretching into infinity.’

EXPLICATION OF “PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE”

The poem, “Past, Present, Future” has an interesting story. The poem centers around the author asking a child about their interpretations of their world, including the past, present, and what they expect for the future. The poems tone is curious and slightly sad but hopeful. The poem uses rhyme to connect ideas and provide a flow to the words. The author connects words that create a feeling of a sad past to feelings of hope for the future.

I included this poem because of its focus on the feelings of the past, present, and future. I think its imagery provides a beautiful picture to an interesting poem. I felt this poem was important to include because though it describes the feelings of a sad past, it brings feelings of hope for the future.

“WORDS”BY KELVIN HINZ

They can send your heart on wingsto soar like an eagle;Or they can rip slivers from itwith sharp nails.

They can make your heartdo happy high-jumps;Or they can dig deep-And bury it in the mire.

They can bring you to the front of the classto reveal you in all your brilliance;Or they can belittle and degrade-make you face the cornernaked- for all to see.

They can captivate youwith their warm magic;Or they can dumbfound youwith a mean careless trick.

They can leave you at ease

with honesty and solidity,

Or they can trouble you with innuendo

and elusive riddles.

They can awaken your heart

with a gentle kiss;

Or they can cool it

with frozen fingers.

They can fan

the embers of ability;

Or they can douse them

with icy water-stinging cold.

So:

from parent to child,

old to young;

sibling to sibling,

neighbour to neighbour;

friend to friend,

one to another.

Place your feet in the other’s shoes,

and please choose your words…

with care in mind.

EXPLICATION OF “WORDS”

The poem “Words”, was published in the collection of poems by Kelvin Hinz, titled Life, Loss, Truth, & Adventure. The poem tells of the impact that words can have on others, by using comparing and contrasting techniques. This poem encourages readers to take care when choosing words, and reminds them of the impact words have.

I included this poem because I felt the message to be truthful. I feel the writer gives an accurate depiction of how words can be used to help of hinder ones spirit. I felt it should be included because it enforces the advice given by many parents, including my mother, that if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. It also reminds readers to choose their words with care, which I believe is an important lesson. I included this poem because I felt it reinforced the lesson of being mindful of the words you speak.

“HOW MUCH RESPECT?” BY KELVIN HINZ

The way I see it

as a wonderous living thing,

from the cradle, every baby should

be granted

as their birthright; respect- in a

healthy dose.

A creation hopefully born of the

love of two,

and on ‘n’ up they grow.

And yes, age does earn you

a certain amount more

as through life’s challenges you

make your way

and hardships you bore.

For throughout life,

respect is gained or lost

depending on a person’s merits-

made up of one’s morals, words and

deeds:

of cruelty or kindness,

rude or dignified,

wise or foolish.

As for the bullies:

bulging muscles, hard head and fists

-

they do not qualify you.

For the use of fear and intimidation

should not be confused

as they cannot gain you

a respect that is true.

So Beware!

In the eyes of others

and in the Big Man’s upstairs:

The thoughts and intents

you hold in mind and heart;

the things you say and do –

displaying cruelty or care

shall determine how much respect

you will receive,

for you must earn the Lion’s Share.

EXPLICATION OF “HOW MUCH RESPECT?”

This poem, “How Much Respect?”, was published in Life, Loss, Truth, & Adventure by Kelvin Hinz. This poem discusses the respect given to others. The poem describes the respect that the writer believes to be given at birth and also the respect that is gained and lost over time, depending on deeds. The poem makes the reader think about the importance of respecting others, but also about earning respect from others.

I included the selection “How Much Respect?” because I felt that the meaning it conveys is very truthful and important. The overall thought that respect is both something you are born with and something that is earned and lost over time is something I feel is an important part of society. I included this poem because respect for others is something that my mother had instilled in me from a very young age. The lesson that even those who not deserve your respect should still be respected as human beings and deserve polite treatment is something I have used many times throughout my life.

“THE ROAD NOT TAKEN” BY ROBERT FROSTTwo roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I –

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

EXPLICATION OF “THE ROAD NOT TAKEN”

This poem, “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost was published in 1916 in the collection of poems titled Mountain Interval. The poem ponders the decisions made in life. In the poem, the narrator is torn between two paths, knowing he can not take both. In the end, the narrator makes a bold choice, taking the less traveled road. Though the author does not regret his decision, he still wonders what the other path may have brought him. The imagery used in this poem, along with its themes make the it a classic poem, which is still enjoyed by many, almost one hundred years after its publication.

“The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost was included in this collection of poems because of its overall theme of not making decisions lightly. The tone is both positive and depressing as the author does not regret the path he takes, but still wonders what the path not taken would have held. The poem also encourages confidence by inspiring others to have the courage to take the less traveled path. This metaphor for the choices made in life resonates with me. I included this poem to remind myself not to make decisions lightly, something my mother had taught me. This poem also inspires me to not be afraid of doing things differently than others. I included this poem to remind my mother to do the same.

“EQUESTRIANISM” BY ALLISON MOYER

A sport with many different ways,different colors chestnuts, browns, and bays.Different breeds all the same,Paints, Arabians, and Thoroughbreds by name,Competing in similar sport,Cutting, Dressage, and Halter in short.Brought together by a common theme,An ever-present equestrian dream.

ESSAY FOR “EQUESTRIANISM”

This poem was written by Allison Moyer on May 6, 2013. It uses rhyme to compare equine colors, breeds, and types of competition. Showing the harmony in the horse world which is often divided by such things, especially breed and competition.

I included this poem because to speak to the equestrian in my mother. I believe that she can relate to it because horses are a large part of both of our lives.

“ABOUT A DOG” BY ALLISON MOYER

I look, as he stares at me,with eyes unseeing,as they have been for some time.Though his ears had betrayed him even before,what was a whisper becomes a yell.But he continues, unbothered.Though his body had kept painful track of the years, His mind seems to not have bothered.

ESSAY FOR “ABOUT A DOG”

This poem was written by Allison Moyer on April 26. This poem uses the story of a dog to describe the deterioration experienced in his old age. The poem is depressing in that it describes the loss that the dog has experienced. However, the poem is also uplifting and hopeful, in that it tells of the resilience of the dog’s spirit.

I included this poem because I felt my mother could relate to the story of a dog that has been a large part of our lives. This poem is special to me because it is the story of a dog that has been with me since early childhood. I included this poem to inspire resilience and hope in my mother.

“WRITERS BLOCK” BY ALLISON MOYER

Writers block has entered my brain,

I think I may go insane.

Words seem to disappear,

I fear my mind will never be clear.

Of this loss that has seemed to find,

An easy way inside my mind.

ESSAY FOR “WRITERS BLOCK”

This poem was written on April 24, 2013 by Allison Moyer. It uses rhyme to convey the irritation felt by being unable to write due to what some call writers block. The tone of the poem is a playful frustration felt by the author because they can not unblock their mind.

I included this poem because I believe it is something many people can relate to. I felt my mother would relate to it, as I believe it is something that is easily understood.

“BALANCE” BY ALLISON MOYER

Deadlines by day,But carefree by night.

For every stress a serenity,Every worry a calm.

Days divided intoSeemingly separate lives.

The dull and mandatory,The bright and exciting.

Balancing the daysWith an endless cycle.

ESSAY FOR “BALANCE”

This poem was written by Allison Moyer on May 7th, 2013. This poem shows the balance between night and day, boring and exciting, and worry and relief. The tone is slightly sad, with a repetitive feel to life. The tone is also uplifting in that it tells that there is balance, to every challenge is an opportunity for excitement.

I included this poem because I thought that it was a poem that could be related to everyday life. I think this poem is truthful and felt it should be included in this collection because my mother could identify with its themes.

“LISTENING” BY ALLISON MOYER

Always listening,Lending ears.

Letting othersInspire themselves.

Somehow showingOthers compassionNeeded dearly.

ESSAY FOR “LISTENING”

This poem was written on April 24th, 2013 by Allison Moyer. It is creative in that it uses the letters in the author’s first name, Allison, in the first letter of every line to create a poem. This poem conveys a feeling of friendship and happiness.

This poem was included in this collection because I believe it is uplifting, and shows the importance of being a good listener, which is something my mother has taught me.

BIBLIOGRAPHYBronte, Emily. Past, Present, Future. Web. 26 May. 2013

<http://www.poetsgraves.co.uk/Classic%20Poems/Bronte/Past%20Present%20Future.htm>.

Frost, Robert. Nothing Gold Can Stay. Web. 26 May. 2013

<online-literature.com/frost/748/>.

Frost, Robert. The Road Not Taken. Web. 26 May 2013

<www.bartleby.com/119/1.html>.

Hinz, Kelvin. How Much Respect?. Smashwords Edition, 2010. eBook. 26 May. 2013.

Hinz, Kelvin. Words. Smashwords Edition, 2010. eBook. 26 May. 2013

Personal poems:

“Equestrianism” written by Allison Moyer on May 6, 2013

“About A Dog” written by Allison Moyer on April 26, 2013

“Writer’s Block” written by Allison Moyer on April 24, 2013

“Balance” written by Allison Moyer on May 7, 2013

“Listening” written by Allison Moyer on April 24, 2013

*All pictures taken by Allison and Lisa Moyer