Responding to a Poem:

            We are born with dreams in our hearts, looking for better days ahead (Baca 1). This line came from the poem Immigrants in Our Own Land. This poem has a personal effect on me because I believe I am able to relate, in all honesty I think all of us can relate. We have all come from somewhere, and almost every one of us is an immigrant to the land we now occupy. Jimmy Santiago Baca, the author of this particular poem speaks deeply. You are able to gain a real sense of understanding. The message he is trying to convey is one he feels deeply about. It brings upon a feeling of resentment for me. In the beginning of the poem the author speaks about immigrants all wanting a new life. He talks about the way they are treated, and the things they are taught to believe about this new life they are hoping for. One line stands out to me, “The old men who have lived here stare at us, from deep disturbed eyes, sulking, retreated (Baca, 1).” This reminds me much of what is going on in Arizona currently. We are shipping many immigrants back to Mexico daily. At one point in time, we were new residents to a foreign place, and the looks we received were similar to those stated in this poem. Now the tables have turned and we are the men giving disturbed looks and feeling retreated. This poem brings a new light to a situation that we otherwise might not consider. The life that this particular author lived was one of many hardships, and due to that I believe we are able to feel the voice in his writing, and really gain an understanding of where he is coming from. Jimmy Baca was sent to an orphanage at a young age, he later spent 5 years in a high security prison, and this in fact was where he began producing his poetry. I believe Baca relives his life in a sense through this poem. He is telling the reader about the second chance he was given at creating a better life for himself. This poem is a great example of poetry of witness. I have inserted a link to a website where you are able to read the entire biography on this poet: http://www.jimmysantiagobaca.com/biography.html

            Many of us loose the beauty in our own lives, and oftentimes it is something that we are unable to retrieve. In the poem The Woman Hanging from the Thirteenth Floor Window we are able to relate to the way this stranger feels. This poem sends a strong message, and relays the basic idea the writer is trying to get across through a harsh point of view. Sometimes we loose sight of our lives and the things that once made us happy. I can relate to this poem because I am a victim of loosing sight of the things that once made me happy. Sometimes this happens due to a sudden change is schedule, other times it can be a relationship that changes our lives, I know in many cases you get very wrapped up in your partner and loose sight of yourself when you are in a deep emotionally draining relationship. We have the opportunity to pick up ourselves and regain self worth, or continue to be unhappy. That is the message I received at the end of this poem. The woman hangs from the 13^th floor window crying for the lost beauty in her own life. She sees the sun falling over the grey plane of Chicago. She thinks she remembers listening to her own life break loose, as she falls from the 13^th floor window on the east side of Chicago, or as she climbs back up to claim herself again (Harjo 2). These poems I could relate most to and found the most meaning in. I really enjoy reading poetry of witness. Here is a link where you are able to learn a little more about this poet: http://project1.caryacademy.org/echoes/poet_joy_harjo/Defaultharjo.htm