Skip to main content

If I Laid Them End to End

 If I Laid Them End to End
By:  Kimberly Blaeser
 Apprenticed to Justice
2007



Image result for Native Americans MemoriesThis poem was written by Kimberly Blaeser. I consider that this poem is a collection of memories not only of the author but the memories are from different people, Indians. She tells the reader about different situations she and her people went through. Two of the most remarkable problems are hunger and alcoholism. In one of the stanzas, she mentions that the night her mother baked biscuits they went to bed with some food on their stomach; however, if we think about it a biscuit is a really small snack, how can someone feel full with a biscuit? In that line, she says "[...] took the wrinkle out of out bellies that night" If I analyze that, I can understand that some nights before they were starving when they went to bed. 
Also, she mentioned a common problem we can observe in Indians, alcoholism. I consider this problem is mentioned a lot by different authors, and I can perceive that they see alcohol as destruction, every time they drink is in excess; notwithstanding, I believe is something difficult to control for them since they are accustomed drinking in large quantities.
Finally, Kimberly Blaeser finished the poem saying "those old-time Indians who could really tell stories." This line is the reason why I feel she is talking about memories, memories of elderly Indians who told her those stories for her to share them. 
I really liked this poem, I feel that all those situations they faced make them stronger, and they moved forward despite any adversity.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

"Mexican" Is Not a Noun

"Mexican" Is Not a Noun By Francisco X. Alarcón I liked this poem, from my perception it presents to the reader how it is to be Mexican, their reality. In the poem, the writer says that being Mexican is not a noun nor an adjective, it is a verb.  Verbs are actions, the author is saying to the reader that being a Mexican is about actions; however, for them, their actions are seen with a negative perspective because of people opinion, normally a negative one.  Francisco X. Alarcón presents a part of the reality of Mexicans in terms of jobs. He says that a Mexican life is a long low-paying job. This gives the reader the idea that they cannot get good jobs, jobs that can give them more opportunities, more incomes. They cannot have this opportunity probably because of discrimination, lack of opportunities. Also, in many parts of the poem, he uses negative words. He gives a negative connotation of being Mexican; for example, it is possible to see this when he...

Dothead

T.S.A By Amit Majmudar Setting:  The setting for this poem is not one in particular; however, readers can infer it is based on different situations Asian people face in airports.  Event:   I consider this poem presents a reality a young brown male with Asian descendant faces when he goes through the T.S.A. Or in more general terms the reality that people from Southern Asia may face in this situation in the T.S.A. The Transportation Security Administration (T.S.A.) was an organization founded after the 9/11 attacks, was especially chary with people coming from the southern part of Asia. Characters:  From my perspective, the character of this poem is the speaker. His experience in airports, and in life after the 9/11 How did it make me feel? Can I make any connection to my life? I really enjoy reading this poem, I consider it pictures how the fact that you come from another culture, or even how you look is going to create others perspe...

Every Little Hurricane

 Every Little Hurricane By Sherman Alexie Setting: 1976, New Year's Eve, Spokane Indian Reservation Every Little Hurricane takes place in Spokane Indian Reservation, in a New Year's Eve party. It is about little Victor's family and how a "hurricane" passed through his house and his family. Characters: 1) Victor: It is the main character of the story. Victor is nine years old, for him, his family is important, despite all the problems they may have. 2) Victor's Parents: They were hosting a New Year's Eve party. They were so drunk that they passed out on their bed. Victor loves them and feels safe with them no matter what. 3) Victor's Uncles:  Adolph and Arnold are Victor's uncles, they started a fight, they used to fight all the time; however, when the fight stopped they continued with the party. Every Little Hurricane is a story that reflects many of the social problems Indians have in reservations. From this story, I ...