Poem 3

I think this poem is talking about all the little noises and details in life that we don't seem to pay any attention to. Like when it is talking about the crack in the old foundation in the house and the family passes it everyday without noticing. I think it is saying that we should just pay attention to the little things in life because it will make us feel better.

Poem 2

The Colonel - Carolyn Forche

The poem seems to be about a guy or girl that is at a generals house and is describing his surroundings and what he sees. The poem takes an odd twist when they say that he puts ears on the table and puts one in water it comes alive. I don't know what that has to do with anything but it may have a deeper meaning that I do not understand.

Poem 1

Mexicans Begin Jogging - Gary Soto
What I get from the poem is that the Mexicans entered the country illegally by a van or some kind of vehicle. It sounds like their boss brought them here and told them to run. The poem is kind of interesting that someone would write about coming into the country illegally.

Poetry Slam

We had those two guys come into class and talk about the poetry slam competitions and atmosphere. They said some of their poems and people asked questions about the poetry they do and about the slams. I don't want to offend but in my opinion I did not like it at all. I felt it was to much of an attempt to be rap, they said that it wasn't but the way they acted saying them and the subjects there were about were indentical to rap. Overall I didn't like it at all but that is just my opinion. I could see why people get into it and enjoy it but I just don't like it. I have never been into poetry because my high school teachers and junior high teachers abused their power as a teacher especially with poetry. In high school and junior high all my teachers did was poetry and I just learned to go through the motions to get the grade and never enjoyed it. The only kind of poetry I like to read is Eminems lyrics. That is the only rap I like and some of the points he hits or talks about are stuff that mean a lot to people, like my friend. I really like him because of how creative he is and how well he can rhyme.

USFS

The story was about a 17 year old boy that worked for the United States Forrest Service in the summer. The book was written from his view of how it was and how things happened. The book really hit home quick for me when he started talking about Spokane, Coeur d'Alene and Missoula because I have been to all three of those cities and love the area so I was familiar with where he was located in the story.
He had a disliking for the cook at the start of the  book and held it all through the end. He also didn't like his boss all to well and was even sent to watch the mountains by him because of something the boy had said. His experience up there reminded me of scouting trips where we would be in the mountains for a week and have to deal with storms, getting clean water and food, and having shelter.
My favorite part of the book was when the boy got to Hamilton and had all his experiences from fainting in a Chinese restaurant to ending up in a whore house, to eating at a Greek restaurant and the famous poker game. 
Overall I thought that the story was very good and I enjoyed reading it.