Amber+Housley

"Words written in verse may speak volumes when those spoken do not." -Caressia Combs I like this quote because it is one that I understand and believe to actually be true.

//ODE: Friendly People// By Amber Housley

I admire you highly I’d like to be you one day You have the power to brighten up someone’s day, when all they feel is gloom If you haven’t noticed you withhold one of the greatest traits You are special, despite any other faults you may have Your smile is like the beachfront view in the Grand hotel on Sunset Island Jamaica, just plain B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L I can meet you for the first time in a work area, school or mall You come full of compliments, that aren’t received everyday I appreciate you You bring kindness out of me spreading like a contagious disease Don’t you know that you have a major role in the lives of numerous people? Well don’t ever lose your that part of you You come very seldom, like a million dollar check And that’s a shame If being friendly were a job it would be high paying and everyone would be It’s amazing how you choose to be kind on your own No pulling teeth or bribe You just decide to This is why I admire you.

SONNET

When Amber wakes up in the morning time I never really want to go to school She tries to avoid the outside sunshine When I was young it used to be so cool.

Everyday is usually boring But I end up getting through it each day I wish I were around the world touring I deal with it a very simple way

By now I should be used to being bored I mean it’s a reoccurring event It’s nothing new I’m always bored and bored I go home and sit in front of the vent

Another day nothing new, nothing bold. The same routine is really getting old.

A B A B C D C D E F E F G G

Ghazal

In the morning I hate to get up because I’m tired As I pick out my clothes I’m tired

In the morning it’s so cold I have to blow my runny nose I’m tired

My favorite color is red I’m so happy a young man gives me a rose I’m tired

My toes look so bland, that can’t stand I decide to paint my toes I’m tired

I look in the mirror a million times before walking out the door I’ll strike a pose I’m tired

I get on the elevator go to the lobby Patricia saw me I spoke as she arose I’m tired

I get to school lacking energy I sit down in class wanting so desperately to doze I’m tired

I’m in English class wanting to avoid bright lights I want lights off, blinds to close I’m tired

As I sit in class I sit down and ask Why did I put on this horrific outfit I chose, I’m tired

Amber Housley doesn’t smile much seeming sad I’m lacking rest but no one knows, I’m tired

//Adolescence II// by Rita Dove

Although it is night, I sit in the bathroom, waiting. Sweat prickles behind my knees, the baby-breasts are alert. Venetian blinds slice up the moon; the tiles quiver in pale strips.

Then they come, the three seal men with eyes as round As dinner plates and eyelashes like sharpened tines. They bring the scent of licorice. One sits in the washbowl,

One on the bathtub edge; one leans against the door. "Can you feel it yet?" they whisper. I don't know what to say, again. They chuckle,

Patting their sleek bodies with their hands. "Well, maybe next time." And they rise, Glittering like pools of ink under moonlight,

And vanish. I clutch at the ragged holes They leave behind, here at the edge of darkness. Night rests like a ball of fur on my tongue.

//Vacation// by Rita Dove

I love the hour before takeoff, that stretch of no time, no home but the gray vinyl seats linked like unfolding paper dolls. Soon we shall be summoned to the gate, soon enough there’ll be the clumsy procedure of row numbers and perforated stubs—but for now I can look at these ragtag nuclear families with their cooing and bickering or the heeled bachelorette trying to ignore a baby’s wail and the baby’s exhausted mother waiting to be called up early while the athlete, one monstrous hand asleep on his duffel bag, listens, perched like a seal trained for the plunge. Even the lone executive who has wandered this far into summer with his lasered itinerary, briefcase knocking his knees—even he has worked for the pleasure of bearing no more than a scrap of himself into this hall. He’ll dine out, she’ll sleep late, they’ll let the sun burn them happy all morning —a little hope, a little whimsy before the loudspeaker blurts and we leap up to become Flight 828, now boarding at Gate 17.

//Hades' Pitch// by Rita Dove

If I could just touch your ankle, he whispers, there on the inside, above the bone—leans closer, breath of lime and pepper—I know I could make love to you. She considers this, secretly thrilled, though she wasn’t quite sure what he meant. He was good with words, words that went straight to the liver. Was she falling for him out of sheer boredom— cooped up in this anything-but-humble dive, stone gargoyles leering and brocade drapes licked with fire? Her ankle burns where he described it. She sighs just as her mother aboveground stumbles, is caught by the fetlock—bereft in an instant— while the Great Man drives home his desire.

Amber Housley:

In my poetry I usually write about things that I like or describe me. My ode was to Friendly People, whom I admire and I compared them to other things I enjoy such as “the beachfront view in the Grand Hotel on Sunset Island Jamaica.” In my sonnet I wrote about my morning, how I act and what it consists of and how I feel. I like to make comparisons to things that are similar and stress the meaning of something I stated in a common way. I like to make comparisons to things so that another person can see or feel what I mean.

Two of my poems (Ghazal and Sonnet) elicit aspects of me. In my Ghazal I talk about how I’m consistently tired, my actions in that state and a routine. In my Sonnet I talk about my feelings previously and now regarding school and my repeated day. My poems reflect me, how I feel and have felt before. I write about things that are common in my life and I feel strongly about. In parts of each poem I like to rhyme and I’ll use a cliché where it is necessary or will fit best. In the end of each poem I’ll try to summarize the meaning by closing with a line or statement that brings it all together.

Rita Dove:

In Rita Dove’s poems she tells a short story, uses similes’ and hyperbole, exaggerates and is descriptive of the surrounding environment. In the poem Adolescence II Dove says “Then they come, the three seal men with eyes as round as dinner plates and eyelashes like sharpened tines.” That line is an example of when she uses similes’. In the poem, “Vacation” Dove says but for now I can look at these ragtag nuclear families with their cooing and bickering or the heeled bachelorette trying to ignore a baby’s wail.” Dove is referring to the many things that occur while waiting in the airport to board a flight. There is a lot of noise and disorganization between families, as some people are alone and try to avoid all of the chaos.

In “Hades’ Pitch”, Dove says “Was she falling for him out of sheer boredom cooped up in this anything-but-humble dive”. Throughout the poem she tells of a conversation between two people. She says this to elicit the nonchalance of the girl in the poem towards the man. This was basically to convey how she was unimpressed or interested in the man. As some of her poems resemble short stories, Dove has published a book of short stories. In her collection “American Smooth” she reflects on her experiences with ballroom dancing. In some way her poetry focuses on aspects of her life and experiences. In her poems “Adolescence II” and “Hades’ Pitch”, she leaves you wondering the meaning, possibly to find your own. The two poems contain words spoken of people and the subjects are unknown.

When Dove was a child her parents encouraged her to read a lot, which is how she became influenced in the art of literature. Dove has received many awards a few are, the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, a National Humanities Medal in 1996, the Heinz award and many more. Her literature reflects upon various historical and political events. Her writing is touching and descriptive, so that the reader can practically picture and feel the story. Dove has been a commonwealth professor of English at the University of Virginia since 1989. She has numerous great achievements that are well deserved for her talent in literature.