I recently read these beautiful poems and I wanted to share with you what they mean to me. In my interpretation, the first poem “Impassive” by Polina.
After checking the meaning of the word “impassive” and how can it be related to the poem. I concluded that the poem is about finding meaning in everything, even in the small, seemingly minor moments in life. Humans will eventually come to love and appreciate everything in their life.
The second poem “ childhood reflection” by Tobi Akinpelu.
The title says a lot about the poem, and what it means to me is childhood experiences and the difficulty of communicating and being understood when one is a child.
Let's start with a story, I remember my first year in uni, MTH class. I struggle with keeping up with the pace of the class and often ask questions that my lecturer finds unimportant. Suddenly my lecturer becomes frustrated with my questions and often discarded them in front of the entire class. Not that I'm confident enough to ask but when I do, they often discard it.
I feel embarrassed and discouraged. I feel like my lecturer doesn't understand or appreciate my own perspective or way of learning. I just feel like I was always being corrected and punished for not understanding things quickly enough, and wonder why I must suffer consequences for simply trying to learn.
Well, it cost me some grades. I just want someone to understand me
Hi Tobiloba, - wow, you captured the meaning of the poem Impassive perfectly. Indeed, as Juliana commented above, and you found the same, - it's about simple things and learning how to love them again, as we get older. But learning to love takes courage, so indeed as the line from poem goes - it is "a departure from the ordinary vector". The meaning for "Impassive" is lack of emotion, so what I tried to convey is how we can return back to our loving, open state and love the world again. Thank you for reading our work. :)
"Can you bring together a manuscript of the wrong,
So that I know all I do will be correct.
Not a question mark."
I didn't have a manuscript of the wrong while growing up. Some things I didn't think were wrong, 'they' said it was wrong and I was disciplined for it. Looking back now, there were better ways 'they' could have handled things, not just using the 'cane'. Unfortunately, three were always in pain.
*By Polina, titled: Impassive!*
I feel this poem is the story of a someone who left home and found it hard to blend in and was not really happy. I had to leave home at some point to look for 'higher things', I wasn't very comfortable in the new environment where I was but as the days went by, a day finally came when I loved everything.
Hi Franklin, Thank you for your comments and connecting with my poem Impassive through your own childhood story. It means a lot to me, when that happens with readers. Impassive to me is about connecting with the world, and indeed "looking for higher things", but once we are older. It's about finding connection through love and inner understanding. I'm so happy you liked the poem and appreciate you reading it. :)
To me, this poem feels like someone remembering the good old days of growing up, simpler times before everything became complicated.
When you were a kid, your loved ones would be all over you, and you didn't understand why they showed you too much affection that you didn't like.
Now looking back, you tend to cherish those times.
Second Poem
To me, the overall summary of the second poem speaks about the old-fashioned way of correcting our loved ones. We were taught as children that when you make a mistake, you will always be corrected. The most common method of correction, particularly in African cultures, is physical punishment with a cane or any other object that appears to make you realize how serious the error is.
Verse 1
I could really relate to this verse because I've been there many times as a child. When you are punished, you should muffle your cries. They believe you don't deserve to cry because I caused this to happen. The pain was unleashed on my body, but I grew up knowing that such pain does not warrant crying.
Three people are in pain during the correction process: the child, who doesn't understand why they are being punished, the cane, who also doesn't understand why they are being used to inflict such pain, and the hand, which also doesn't understand the cause of this.
Which begs the question, "Why must mistakes have consequences?"
Verse 2
In verse 2, why try to explain the meaning of a mistake to a child who doesn't know what happened or how to do better the next time? In order to avoid such consequences, the child requests a list of everything that is seen as wrong.
So power refers to the ability to punish the child.
It is also seen as lacking in terms of teaching the child to learn from their mistakes.
How simple words offer far greater lessons with far greater impact than a powerful cane with a weak lesson.
I believe words are very powerful and pointing out they will either make or break a person especially children...I grew up in an environment where I experienced both the power of words and punishment...the power of words that did actually bring out the value of knowing what is wrong or right because once I did get to understand my mistake there is a feeling of guilt that creeps in just by how my parents expressed their disappointment.
And I don’t disagree fully with the idea of physical punishment maybe the extent of harshness does bother me but I see it as necessary when it comes to discipline and maybe my advice is adding the idea of getting the child to understand why they are being punished.As the Bible says “spare the rod spoil the child” is very accurate in my opinion
Hi Juliana, thank you for reading these poems. Your comment regarding Impassive is quite interesting, - your interpretation that things used to be - simpler. Yes, when I was writing it, I was indeed thinking back to childhood, and what I noticed back then of the world. Also, the love received from adults - yes, you are spot on! A diversion from it, until we become adults and remember how it mattered that mum and dad were there, giving us hugs and checking up on that "milk in the fridge". :) Thank you again for your responses.
Verse 1 of this poem paints the correction of a child’s errors with cane as totally wrong. The cane, the part of the body that receives the whipping, and the child all suffers.
Verse 2 lets us know that words are powerful enough (even more powerful than the cane) to correct the child.
1. The poem "Impassive" by Polina is a thought-provoking reflection on the beauty and complexity of life. It suggests that everything, from the mundane to the extraordinary, is worthy of love and appreciation.
The poem highlights the paradoxical nature of life, where the ordinary and extraordinary exist side by side. The juxtaposition of the trolleys with children under sunlight and the wildness of the home suggests that life is a mix of joy and chaos.
The line "Late-night calls from your mother to check if there’s enough milk in your fridge. Like that matters" reveals the trivial nature of some concerns in life, yet it also suggests the importance of human connection and love.
The poem encourages the reader to embrace life's challenges and storms, and to find beauty in the upturn of humanity as a sigh. Overall, the poem reminds us that even in the midst of life's difficulties, there is still something to love and appreciate.
The poem made me reflect on the transience of life and the importance of finding beauty in everyday moments.
2. The poem "Childhood Reflection" by Tobi is a reflection on the power dynamic between adults and children, particularly in the context of discipline and correction.
The first verse explores the idea that correction, such as through the use of a cane, can be painful for both the child and the disciplinarian. The child is left questioning the purpose of mistakes and their consequences, while the disciplinarian may also question the need for such harsh measures.
The second verse delves deeper into the power dynamic, suggesting that power can be both weak and strong, and that it is important for the powerful to use their power wisely. The speaker of the poem asks for softness when they are weak, and suggests that the use of power can be harmful if used without regard for the recipient's ability to handle it.
Overall, the poem offers a nuanced reflection on the relationship between power, discipline, and empathy in the context of childhood. It encourages the reader to consider the ways in which they use their own power, particularly in relation to those who are weaker or more vulnerable.
Thank you, Eben, for your interpretation of Impassive. In particular, that "life is a mix of joy and chaos". The simple and extraordinary - when put together, is like a see-saw, and I guess shows the highs and lows of life. When I write, I don't necessarily plan my words too much, rather the flow of emotion guides me. So, it is always interesting to learn what my readers feel and extract when my poem is read. I will reflect some more on what you have said in your comments, it's very insightful, thank you.
I recently read these beautiful poems and I wanted to share with you what they mean to me. In my interpretation, the first poem “Impassive” by Polina.
After checking the meaning of the word “impassive” and how can it be related to the poem. I concluded that the poem is about finding meaning in everything, even in the small, seemingly minor moments in life. Humans will eventually come to love and appreciate everything in their life.
The second poem “ childhood reflection” by Tobi Akinpelu.
The title says a lot about the poem, and what it means to me is childhood experiences and the difficulty of communicating and being understood when one is a child.
Very correct as well. But how does it relate to you?
The second poem “ Childhood reflection”
Let's start with a story, I remember my first year in uni, MTH class. I struggle with keeping up with the pace of the class and often ask questions that my lecturer finds unimportant. Suddenly my lecturer becomes frustrated with my questions and often discarded them in front of the entire class. Not that I'm confident enough to ask but when I do, they often discard it.
I feel embarrassed and discouraged. I feel like my lecturer doesn't understand or appreciate my own perspective or way of learning. I just feel like I was always being corrected and punished for not understanding things quickly enough, and wonder why I must suffer consequences for simply trying to learn.
Well, it cost me some grades. I just want someone to understand me
For the first one. “ impassive”
Let me use a simple analogy,
coding requires practice over and over and it can be stressful.
All the late-night work that seems tiring will eventually pay off and you will eventually love what you did anyways.
I really don't know how to put this but I hope you get the analogy. 🤔
As childhood becomes a memory.
This moment is an oncoming memory.
So live in the moment and make good memories.
Because you may loose memory of what you do and it will be others memory.
The poem is great
So is this comment
As childhood becomes a memory.
This moment is an oncoming memory.
So live in the moment and make good memories.
Because you may loose memory of what you do and it will be others memory.
The poem is great
So is this comment
Oh my childhood!
Memories stream
Hi Tobiloba, - wow, you captured the meaning of the poem Impassive perfectly. Indeed, as Juliana commented above, and you found the same, - it's about simple things and learning how to love them again, as we get older. But learning to love takes courage, so indeed as the line from poem goes - it is "a departure from the ordinary vector". The meaning for "Impassive" is lack of emotion, so what I tried to convey is how we can return back to our loving, open state and love the world again. Thank you for reading our work. :)
*By Tobi, titled: Childhood reflection!*
"Can you bring together a manuscript of the wrong,
So that I know all I do will be correct.
Not a question mark."
I didn't have a manuscript of the wrong while growing up. Some things I didn't think were wrong, 'they' said it was wrong and I was disciplined for it. Looking back now, there were better ways 'they' could have handled things, not just using the 'cane'. Unfortunately, three were always in pain.
*By Polina, titled: Impassive!*
I feel this poem is the story of a someone who left home and found it hard to blend in and was not really happy. I had to leave home at some point to look for 'higher things', I wasn't very comfortable in the new environment where I was but as the days went by, a day finally came when I loved everything.
Of course, winner of Day 1.
Franklin, can you share how those poems relate to you?
Hi Franklin, Thank you for your comments and connecting with my poem Impassive through your own childhood story. It means a lot to me, when that happens with readers. Impassive to me is about connecting with the world, and indeed "looking for higher things", but once we are older. It's about finding connection through love and inner understanding. I'm so happy you liked the poem and appreciate you reading it. :)
First Poem
To me, this poem feels like someone remembering the good old days of growing up, simpler times before everything became complicated.
When you were a kid, your loved ones would be all over you, and you didn't understand why they showed you too much affection that you didn't like.
Now looking back, you tend to cherish those times.
Second Poem
To me, the overall summary of the second poem speaks about the old-fashioned way of correcting our loved ones. We were taught as children that when you make a mistake, you will always be corrected. The most common method of correction, particularly in African cultures, is physical punishment with a cane or any other object that appears to make you realize how serious the error is.
Verse 1
I could really relate to this verse because I've been there many times as a child. When you are punished, you should muffle your cries. They believe you don't deserve to cry because I caused this to happen. The pain was unleashed on my body, but I grew up knowing that such pain does not warrant crying.
Three people are in pain during the correction process: the child, who doesn't understand why they are being punished, the cane, who also doesn't understand why they are being used to inflict such pain, and the hand, which also doesn't understand the cause of this.
Which begs the question, "Why must mistakes have consequences?"
Verse 2
In verse 2, why try to explain the meaning of a mistake to a child who doesn't know what happened or how to do better the next time? In order to avoid such consequences, the child requests a list of everything that is seen as wrong.
So power refers to the ability to punish the child.
It is also seen as lacking in terms of teaching the child to learn from their mistakes.
How simple words offer far greater lessons with far greater impact than a powerful cane with a weak lesson.
Wow, Juliana.
This comment is powerful and insightful. I like how you broke it down, and it is very much relatable in personal and public fashion.
Can ask a question?
Take this last insightful statement "How simple words offer far greater lessons with far greater impact than a powerful cane with a weak lesson"
Is it true that words have greater impact?
In anyhow, can you take that small "rubber- band question" and expand on it?
Thank you Tobi for this beautiful poem!
I believe words are very powerful and pointing out they will either make or break a person especially children...I grew up in an environment where I experienced both the power of words and punishment...the power of words that did actually bring out the value of knowing what is wrong or right because once I did get to understand my mistake there is a feeling of guilt that creeps in just by how my parents expressed their disappointment.
And I don’t disagree fully with the idea of physical punishment maybe the extent of harshness does bother me but I see it as necessary when it comes to discipline and maybe my advice is adding the idea of getting the child to understand why they are being punished.As the Bible says “spare the rod spoil the child” is very accurate in my opinion
Hi Juliana, thank you for reading these poems. Your comment regarding Impassive is quite interesting, - your interpretation that things used to be - simpler. Yes, when I was writing it, I was indeed thinking back to childhood, and what I noticed back then of the world. Also, the love received from adults - yes, you are spot on! A diversion from it, until we become adults and remember how it mattered that mum and dad were there, giving us hugs and checking up on that "milk in the fridge". :) Thank you again for your responses.
Childhood Reflection:
Verse 1 of this poem paints the correction of a child’s errors with cane as totally wrong. The cane, the part of the body that receives the whipping, and the child all suffers.
Verse 2 lets us know that words are powerful enough (even more powerful than the cane) to correct the child.
- Amobi Freeman
freewil65@gmail.com
I like this comment, Amobi. It is concise and to the point. I wish you could go deeper and share how it relates to you.
1. The poem "Impassive" by Polina is a thought-provoking reflection on the beauty and complexity of life. It suggests that everything, from the mundane to the extraordinary, is worthy of love and appreciation.
The poem highlights the paradoxical nature of life, where the ordinary and extraordinary exist side by side. The juxtaposition of the trolleys with children under sunlight and the wildness of the home suggests that life is a mix of joy and chaos.
The line "Late-night calls from your mother to check if there’s enough milk in your fridge. Like that matters" reveals the trivial nature of some concerns in life, yet it also suggests the importance of human connection and love.
The poem encourages the reader to embrace life's challenges and storms, and to find beauty in the upturn of humanity as a sigh. Overall, the poem reminds us that even in the midst of life's difficulties, there is still something to love and appreciate.
The poem made me reflect on the transience of life and the importance of finding beauty in everyday moments.
2. The poem "Childhood Reflection" by Tobi is a reflection on the power dynamic between adults and children, particularly in the context of discipline and correction.
The first verse explores the idea that correction, such as through the use of a cane, can be painful for both the child and the disciplinarian. The child is left questioning the purpose of mistakes and their consequences, while the disciplinarian may also question the need for such harsh measures.
The second verse delves deeper into the power dynamic, suggesting that power can be both weak and strong, and that it is important for the powerful to use their power wisely. The speaker of the poem asks for softness when they are weak, and suggests that the use of power can be harmful if used without regard for the recipient's ability to handle it.
Overall, the poem offers a nuanced reflection on the relationship between power, discipline, and empathy in the context of childhood. It encourages the reader to consider the ways in which they use their own power, particularly in relation to those who are weaker or more vulnerable.
Thanks for this comment, Eben.
However, this comment does not seem to be humane, but rather a generated by an A.I.
Do you think it can be re-worked?
Yeah. I think it can be re-worked. Some part were AI-genereated and I added some myself.
Thank you, Eben, for your interpretation of Impassive. In particular, that "life is a mix of joy and chaos". The simple and extraordinary - when put together, is like a see-saw, and I guess shows the highs and lows of life. When I write, I don't necessarily plan my words too much, rather the flow of emotion guides me. So, it is always interesting to learn what my readers feel and extract when my poem is read. I will reflect some more on what you have said in your comments, it's very insightful, thank you.