I need help!

Although analyzing poetry can seem like a trivial task it is teaching you a valuable skill in life. Keep up with it because you'll be analyzing things for the rest of your life. Now, in terms of the poem it sometimes helps if you know a bit of background on the poet. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=9560637&ft=1&f=1032 That is an article written on NPR about Ms. Brooks. I think you'll find it interesting. You've gotten some great starters already, but I'd look to see if she's broken with traditional poetry, especially in her rhyme scheme and meter. Namaste-Anora

That poem has: Rhyme (cool,school; late, straight, etc...) Parallel structure - all of the sentences are simple sentences going We do something. Assonance on "sing sin thin gin" (repeated vowel sounds that aren't necessarily rhymes) Alliteration on "strike straight" and "sing sin" and "jazz june" (repeated consonant sounds) Of course the syntax. Putting the we's at the end. Not sure why but just BS a reason. And, if you can find it, explain the meaning of the poem. (Personally I think the poem sucks but there are themes of uselessness and wastefulness)

What do you have so far? Why do you think the poem is written in slang? Do you know what "We sing sin" means? If so why do you think it was included in the poem? What about the dieing soon part? Is the author bragging about his life or sad? I know that this is just a bunch of questions but the answers should help with your assignment. (And will help you in College English as well)