Anthony Franklin February 10, 2012 1A

Poetry Analysis Poem 2: Burning River

This poem was about Simons son being teased around other children about being a Native American. So he told his son to stand up for himself and be proud of his heritage. The poem contains no allusion. The tone of this poem is austere and the figurative language used was sight, hear, and smell. My interpretation of this poem is that Simon started to appreciate his heritage and told his son to not care what others said, but to be pride of his race.

Poem 3: Mid- America Prayer

This poem was about how Simon wants his life to be like an American and wants to do everyday American things even though he is a Native American. The poem contains no allusion. The tone of this poem was compassionate and the figurative language used was sight, hear, and feel. My interpretation of the poem was that Simon really wants to be an American, but even though he cant he still does American like things.

Poem 4: What Indians?

This poem was about how people didnt believe in Indians/ Native Americans because they were in a different area from them and when they came over they were not use to how the Native Americans did things so they began to believe. The poem contains no allusion. The tone of this poem was serious and the figurative language used was sight and hear. My interpretation of this poem was that the people in the poem that didnt believe in Native Americans just werent used to the Native American customs and figured that it was made up until they continued to watch them. All four of these poems discuss how Simon had problems throughout life because of his nationality being a Native American.

Biography Born on May, in Albuquerque, New Mexico 1941

 Served in the U.S Army in 1962-1965 Received White House Salute to Poetry as an Honored poet in 1981 Is a Native American Became a good writer through listening to stories and gossip and was given the name The Reporter Acoma is his culture