Living it Up !

It’s okay to screw up

It’s okay to ease up

It’s okay to fill up

Because that’s how we grow up

We break up and no one knows

We crumble into pieces and no one knows

We burn into flames and no one knows

But we always know.

Faced with disasters everyday

Stuck at intersections everyday

Expecting opportunity to knock everyday

Goes your everyday by everyday.

Look back at what you were,

A toddler standing up no matter how hard you fell

Following your mom whenever she had an eccentric object in her hands

Letting her to follow you whenever you were fired up with excitement.

We were alone but we became known

We were tired but we became inspired

We were hopeless but we became joyful

All because we saw it from a different view

Growing up is not about extending your bones

It’s about constantly dreaming it up

Not giving up

And always standing up!

Lord of the Flies - Draft of Found Poem

My topic is the theme, the devolution of the society which endures on this unknown island.


                                                Going backwards

Beyond the platform there was enchantment (pg 1 - 19)

 The Shore was fledged with palms trees,

Little breezes crept over the polished water beneath the haze of heat

A voice echoed

It said “Hi!”

We searched for a while

Then a worthy creamy conch appeared

I blew it

The deep noise spread through the intricacies of the forest

And there came boys cautiously passing through creepers

Wore eccentric clothing

Shorts, shirts and square black caps with silver badges

Hidden by black cloaks which bore a long silver cross on their left breast,

And a neck finished off with a hambone frill

But one stand out the most,

Controlled the entire party of boys and wore a golden badge

Frustrated and ready to turn in anger

I, Ralph was applauded for CHIEF!

Building a fire and having smoke was the most important thing (pg 138 - 154)

Ships could see, we could cook pig and use the light

BUT

Jack was not part of my lot

He went by himself and there went everybody else slowly too

The circle was shivered with dread

Now

Jack had a group of boys and I was left with four

His group wore the remains of the black cap

Hunted for pigs

Stabbed downward the throat with knives

Dreadful eruptions bucked the air full of blood and terror

Demoniac naked figures with faces of white, red and green hidden by hair and smut

They struck, bit, tore (pg 168- 170)

Nobody was listening it was only tearing of teeth and claws

Simon’s dead body moved out

Rain was let down like waterfall

Piggy then was stroked with a rock (pg 200)

Now it was only me!

Last but not least

  Finally, we are done with the book. Overall, I believe this book was fascinating and well composed. At first, I really didn’t enjoy reading however as I went further into the novel I enjoyed every moment of it. Michael Ondaatje has done a fabulous job in constructing its theme love all throughout the novel. From Hana’s love for Almasy, Almasy’s love for Katherine and Hana’s love for Kip they all shared the same concept of love however in different forms. I believe in our society sometimes we should step back and see what we are missing and passing away from. Time never comes back, its precious thus we have to use it wisely. Being a kind-hearted person inside and out will foremost make you feel better and worthy. It’s not about what you do for other it’s the time and effort you spend in caring for them, that’s important. We can never lie to our souls, guilt is my most fear and personally I can’t live a day with somebody being upset or mad at me. Moreover, I try my very best to be the best I possibly can yet I know perfect is hard to reach. This novel has taught me that love can be seen everywhere and among everyone. The feeling after you help somebody out can never be compared to anything in this world, its precious and it’s hard to put a price tag on. Thus, I will try to show pride and honour all throughout my life.

Eighth Reflection

I have been introduced to a few characters throughout my reading. Still curious to see what will happen at the end. I was introduced to Katherine Clifton, an English woman from Oxford. She is married to Geoffrey Clifton when she was young and travelled all around Africa. She is the one that the English Patient was in love with. I can sense that something might soon be disguised about their relationship. So, I’m having an open mind set. With the kind of relationship that Katherine has with her husband there is the potential for them to become really close. Her character seems very mysterious. I really cannot predict what will happen but I can sense something: D

Seventh Reflection

  The nurse, Hana is starting to feel uncomfortable living in a house with 3 other men. She feels something is going on and physical attraction is present. Personally, I really don’t know exactly what kind of relationship she has with the English Patient. Is it a nurse – patient relationship or something else? I always have this question at the back of my mind whenever I read through the novel. However, I also feel that her relationship with Kip is starting to look differently. Hana feels protected and safe whenever she is around him especially whenever she sleeps with him. She can sense something in herself and is starting to realize she is in love with him. Even Caravaggio suggests to her that she should leave this place and run away with Kip. Even though Kip has never experienced love from in this way but he feels that he is starting to become one of them. Throughout his life he has always felt like an outsider due to his skin colour and is now feeling more welcomed.

Sixth Reflection

Throughout my reading, I was introduced to Kip, a Sikh solider. He entered the hospital while Hana was playing the piano. Kip thought that a danger might occur to the person that is playing the piano since the bombs are usually hidden in the piano. So he went inside to save the life of the person that is playing the piano. But he faced a girl that was playing the piano so he just waited until the girl finished playing. He is very nice mannered and respectful man.

Fifth Reflection

In my reading this week I found out some interesting information about Hana. While Hana was talking to Caravaggio, she shares some secrets with him. Hana reveals that she used to be pregnant. She talks about the moments when she used to talk to the child. Hana  believed that it was the only person that she could trust. When she found out that the father was gone and dead she decided to use abortion and get rid of the child and that’s what she eventually did. Hana symbolizes pure bravery. Even though Hana has been through so much but she is still capable of standing strong on both of her feet no matter what happens. Hana in my perspective is the bravest character since she is only 20 and she has yet faced many obstacles that no ordinary 20 year old would face. Her courage is what is sparking in comparison to the rest of the characters.  

Fourth Reflection

Throughout my readings this week I faced a new character named Caravaggio. Hana, the nurse knows Caravaggio from back home in Toronto. He was a theif back home. His skills were now being used in the British intellgiencies. They were approved and the British knew about them. From the conversations between Caravaggio and Hana I have noticed that Hana has been in love with a man named Giuseppe for a long time. They start talk about memories but then Hana tries to avoid Caravaggio and informs him that she is not interested in talking about this topic. Caravaggio there realizes a snese of feeling spark. He can feel that she is kinda emtionally connected to the English Patinet. However, they stop this conversation and change the topic by Hana asking Caravaggio to go find some food with her since they dont enough supplies. But then he informs her that he has kinda lost his hands. After a few days, Caravaggio starts to talk about his experineces in the British agencies. He was forced to steal some documents in this party when a picture of him was captured while he was stealing. Both Hana and Caravaggio have experineced some harsh circumstances where they have been forced to face devasting situations but they still stand strong and aim for their best. They make the best of their lives no matter what, they will stand strong and look at the world from an optimistic point of view.

Third Reflection

As I read through my novel, I have seen Hana to act childish. Since she is young nurse, she has not been able to enjoy her childhood like the rest of the world. She is a nurse and has undergone lots of obstacles throughout he life. Even though she is young nurse but she is capable to understand what is going on around her. Many people persuade her to leave Villa San Girolamo due to its current situation after the war, but she has refused to. It’s only her and the English Patient living in this hospital. However, despite the circumstances and the atmosphere current in the town she has been able to feed her patient and herself. She started a life by growing vegetables in the garden of the hospital in order for them to survive.

Second Reflection

In my novel "The English Patient" by Michael Ondaatje, I have faced lots of imagery so far. Each sentence represents a picture that starts to occur in my mind. This has enforced me to pause for a moment and try to understand the meaning behind the words. At first when I started to read the novel, I understood the depth behind its word but after I went further I realized I may need to pause for a moment and try to understand what is going on. I sometimes was confused on who is saying it who is the audience since there are no dialogues so far. Its from a omniscient point of view which allows me to face all the perspectives, but it may get difficult at times. Moreover, I learned that when reading I have to concentrate fully on the book in order understand its meaning.

First reflection

I choose the book The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje. He is a Canadaian author whom immigrated to Canada from Sir Lanka in 1962. I decided to read this book since it has won several awards and I also have previously read few poems by him. The book symbolizes love during war and the obstacles that the patient has faced in his love life. I would think my inquiry question would be about disabilities and special needs.