English IIXL / Shakely
3
11
Date _____/_____
Log #____ (do not number until Quarterly collection)
PV Log: (circle one) Poem / Movie / Picture / Lyric
Break, Break, Break
Title ___________________________________
Alfred Lord Tennyson
Author / Director / _________________________________
Context (Where Found / Viewed / Read?)
I found this poem on Shmoop.com. British poet Alfred Lord Tennyson wrote this poem
in 1835.
Content / CD / Summary / Precis (Say? “Plot? Setting/Situation? Key lines/phrases scenes, etc? )
In this poem, the speaker is observing a rough sea before him. The waves crash hard
onto the rocks, and the sky appears dull and dreary. Tennyson describes some fishermen
and children around him. He also watches some large ships go by. Although these things
can be cheerful, they bring no joy to Tennyson. Some key lines include: "But the tender
grace of a day that is dead/ Will never come back to me" and "And the sound of a voice
that is still."
Content / CM / Meaning? / Theme(s)?
The themes of this poem are death and grief. Tennyson dedicated this poem to one of his
friends who had died. Although Tennyson does not actually say anything about a dead
companion, he says things such as the "vanish'd heart" and "voice that is still." The death of his
friend caused great sadness for Tennyson. He observes children playing happily, but even these
happy children cannot cheer Tennyson up.
Form (Diction? Construction Terms? Symbolism?)
This poem exhibits an ABCB rhyming scheme. The "vanish'd hand" represents
Tennyson's dead friend who is the subject of this poem.
Commentary (What do you want to say? Why like? Questions? Synthesis / Allusions-Connections /
Relevance to personal experience, to literature, 20Q’s? etc.)? “Poetic” Traits?
I like this poem because it is a poetic tribute to Tennyson's friend. He reflects on how people
view the death of loved ones.
over (do not mix logs; e.g., no poem log in front, and movie log on back)
English IIXL / Shakely
3
19
Date _____/_____
Log #____ (do not number until Quarterly collection)
PV Log: (circle one) Poem / Movie / Picture / Lyric
How To Be a Poet
Title ___________________________________
Wendell Berry
Author / Director _________________________________
Context (Where Found / Viewed / Read?)
We read this poem for homework one night. It was written by American poet Wendell Berry.
Content / CD / Summary / Precis (Say? “Plot? Setting/Situation? Key lines/phrases scenes, etc? )
This poem describes the process of writing a poem. Berry emphasizes that one who is
writing a poem must be in a quiet and still environment. He says that he draws inspiration
from something and avoids any distractions while thinking. Some key lines include: "Make a
poem that does not disturb/ the silence from which it came" and "Sit down. Be quiet."
Content / CM / Meaning? / Theme(s)?
The theme of this poem is sanctity. Berry writes that poems involve peace and patience.
Berry enjoys silence and uses it as inspiration for his poem.
Form (Diction? Construction Terms? Symbolism?)
This poem fits into the genre of free verse.
Commentary (What do you want to say? Why like? Questions? Synthesis / Allusions-Connections /
Relevance to personal experience, to literature, 20Q’s? etc.)? “Poetic” Traits?
I like this poem because it gives informative advice on how to write a poem. The poetic
words of the poem make the reader feel calm.