ReSpOnSes

The following are responses to poEtrY from the first edition of Cacophony.

"1.6"- Brynn Castro
"Into the Pause"- Scott Ruhmann
"Freedom"- Jacqui Cruz
"Here Come I"- Jeff Rouse

"1.6"- Brynn Castro

I really like this poem. I think everyone can relate to it in some way or another. It deals with issues that most people have experienced or will experience in their lifetime and it really makes you think.    -Victoria Barrientez

I really like this poem because it's truly what is going on in almost every high school-student’s head. Great Job!     -Taylor Pratt

I really enjoyed "1.6". It was realistic and true, pulling the view of life seen by the writer into the sight of the audience. It's inspiring for other poets and writers, telling them to stand at the edge of a cliff with their own thoughts. Though "1.6" seems more on the depressive side of life it has a voice of a confused teenager in love (which everyone is able to relate to). This amazing poem truly inspired me to do more with my own work.    -Sarah Rencurrel

I loved this piece! It was full of pathos and since I'm a girl and a sucker for the love stories I loved this piece. It was so full of emotion and I enjoyed being torn between the two feelings of whether to just appreciate the love that they once had or to be sad because something great like that was coming to an end. You did a great job making this piece very passionate.    -April Gary

A really good poem. It was very deep, yet not too difficult to
understand, plus very descriptive and original. Keep up the good work!    -Michelle Villa-Castillo

This poem is really great, the transition in feelings is executed very well. The nostalgia of past relationships emerges fluently and I think readers can relate to the poem, I know I can.    -Brenna Lowery

"Into the Pause"- Scott Ruhmann

"Freedom"- Jacqui Cruz

The picture seems to be a metaphor describing the exciting but ordered life of a student. The large green area looks to be the letter “A” which would describe a student’s desire to achieve excellence of grades during the years of high school. That academic dream for goals students strive to reach. The purple slash angled from the top left to the bottom right area followed by the blue dot may describe a student’s excitement and joyous expectations of youth, much like an exclamation point would show the excitement in a sentence. The brilliantly colored splashes of random dots seem to represent the daily tasks and challenges of being a teenager in a fast step lifestyle. Then, it seems the painter wishes to contradict themselves and places a long curved pink line to balance the purple and blue excitement. This appears to signify that there must be a harmonious blend such as that of color and design, business and play to create the perfect successful balance in their life.    -David Hancock

I enjoyed this piece quite a bit, I feel that it really speaks to all manner of teens.    -Nick Moore

I find this poem to be a very accurate description of the feelings that I myself have felt. I'm sure that are other that feel the same way as well. Although the detail in the poem is great, it still leaves a vague sense of wonder and mystery, leaving you to make what you will out of the prose. The words come alive and seem to speak volumes about the feelings of confusion and to me, slight sorrow that the author feels. The author also leaves the ending in a sort of free thinking finish. He leaves it open for the reader to pursue further thought on the topic and try and put themselves in the author's place of slight agitation at not being able to find himself. All-in-all, a very nicely written piece of work.    -Michael McFatridge

The poem, Freedom, reminds me of what I think when working on art. My favorite part of the poem is " I want to know me so that I can feel me too, And until I do that, I simply won't rest." It just brings out the struggle of the poet. I really enjoyed the poem and I hope for more works like this from the poet.    -Chris Rawles

I can completely relate to this poem with the pressures experienced in thinking about independence and it was presented very well overall. The emotions were presented very vividly and it contributed to effectiveness of the piece. I also thought it was the most interesting poem on the page and that is why it gave me the most reason to respond. I also do not know the author so my personal opinions did not interfere with my interpretation of the poem.    -Aaron Koranek

I really like the artwork. Clearly the use of (is it paint?) represents freedom alone, and the random use of it lives up to the title. I wonder if the letters mean anything? All in all, the colors used are excellent because each one gives contrast to the other, thus making every line and stroke "pop out" when analyzed. Keep up the good work!    -Michelle Villa-Castillo

 

"Here Come I"- Jeff Rouse