Poems

In my poems I chose to relate all of them to the theme of racism and individualism. I chose to do this because the book I read, To Kill a Mockingbird, had both of these themes in it. For instance when Scout is constantly told to be more "lady like", she doesn't listen and continues acting as a kid having a good time. For the theme of racism when Tom Robinson is convicted even though is clear he's innocent, but because he's black he won't be proved innocent.

Bio Poem

Atticus…
Old, wise, caring, protective.
Father of Jem and Scout, Brother of Alexandra and Jack, Lawyer of Tom Robinson.
He loves reading, his children, and protecting those who are in need.
Happiness, loss, responsibility, and sadness.
His children being harmed, not being able to defend for his client, and the fear of letting his children down.
He made his children proud, stood up for what he believed in despite resistance, and showed his children to be themselves no matter what.
Racial equality, justice for the innocent.
Maycomb, Alabama
…Finch

Ballad

Small southern towns have their share of dark secrets,
On the outside peaceful living is all that can be seen,
Boo Radley shuts his door and his life to all in the town,
Atticus hides behind his smiling face and reputation,

Jean Louise should be wearing dresses and acting like a lady,
But Scout loves her life as a “tomboy”,
Aunt Alexandra wants Atticus to show her what it means to be a young lady,
But Atticus loves his little girl and her spunk,

Scout is introduced into the ranks of school,
Although she loves to read she is told to wait for the class to catch up,
With these reins on her,
School is the last place she wants to be,

Mockingbirds bring sweet music and smiles to its audience,
Killing a mockingbird is akin to shooting a close friend,
Boo Radley is the unheard and unseen mockingbird,
He lives to be alone but desires to help the wounded,

Tom Robinson is wrongly accused of a terrible deed,
This quiet small town is starting to show its secrets,
Innocent like the mockingbird,
He is hunted with no defense,

When the mockingbird is caged he will do anything to sing its song of freedom,
Tom tried to run and sing his song of innocence,
While he freed his cage,
The mockingbird is killed but the secrets live on.

Ode

The Dying Tree

Its knot mysterious,
Its contents desirable,
It fills with gifts for my taking,
First with chewing gum,
Its last with a watch,
My letter to my tree never delivered,
For when I decide to show my appreciation,
My mysterious knot is gone,
Cemented over to keep my tree alive,
My tree has been taken away,
Its gifts my only memories,
Its mystery never solved,
My desire never quenched,
My dying tree will always live inside me.

Free Poem

Man versus morals
Only a few know their secrets
Choosing the truth is seldom easy
Knowing the truth can be a burden
Individualism at any age is a struggle
Nothing is worth more than being you
Good is always supposed to conquer evil
But in life evil is seldom defeated
Indifference can be a death sentence
Right or wrong ignoring the truth can kill
Death of the mockingbird brings no joy

Found Poem
p. 100 paragraph 2

Boo Radley, mad dogs and other terrors have been survived. To stop at Miss Rachael’s was cowardly Jem concluded. The post office corner was where we must run each evening to meet Atticus; going by Mrs. Dubose each time Jem decreed. Countless times Jem could be found furious at her remarks.