Poem Sad I Ams (Form 1) : Meaning

Stanza One
Line Line Interpretation
no.
1 I am The persona thinks/feels that he is like…
2 the ring The ring of a can which people always throw after
3 opening the can before drinking
from an empty Cola can
4 the scrapings The food that is stuck at the bottom of a pan which
5 people scrape off/remove before washing the pan
from an unwashed
porridge pan
6 the severed arm The broken arm of a toy (called Action Man) which
7 was bought/used last year.
of last year’s Action Man.

Stanza Two
Line Line Interpretation
no.
1 I am The persona thinks/feels that he is like…
2 the envelope The envelope which cannot be used because the glue
3 is not sticky anymore
on which the gum is gone
4 the Sellotape The cellophane tape that angers/annoys/
5 Irritates people because they cannot find the end of it
where you can’t find the
end
6 the toothless stapler, The things that anger/annoy/irritate people such as a
stapler that has no bullets/staples in it or a clip that
springless bulldog clip has no spring/grip, so they are useless when people
need them
7 the dried-up liquid paper The liquid paper that cannot be used anymore
8 because it has dried up. It smudges/dirties the paper
that mars instead of (mars) than it helps (mends) to erase/correct the
mends mistake
9 the stamped addressed The letter (as a reply to someone) which you already
wrote the address and put a stamp on, but sadly you
reply forgot to post it!
10 that you forgot
11 to send.
 Stanza Three
Line Line Interpretation
no.
1 I am The persona thinks/feels that he is like…
2 the battery in which no The battery that cannot be charged at all, so it is now
useless
charge is left
3 the starter motor which The motor/engine that has no power
remains inert
4 the tyre on which the tread The tyre that is already worn out and dangerous to be
used, so it has to be replaced with a new one
is worn
5 the sparking plug which The sparking plug that does not work
shows no sign of spark
6 the carburettor choked by The carburettor cannot function because it is filled with
dirt and dust
bits and dirt
7 the chromium trim from The metal plating that is no longer shiny.
which the shine has gone.

Stanza Four
Line Line Interpretation
no.
1 I am The persona thinks/feels that he is like…
2 a garden A garden which is neglected (not being taken care of)
3 overgrown with weeds
4 a library book A book in the library that nobody is interested to
5 borrow/read
that no one ever reads
6 a stray A stray animal that is not being given food by anybody
7 that no one thinks to feed
8 the piece of good advice An advice which is very good but nobody wants to
9 follow it.
which no one seems to
need.

.
Poem Sad I Ams (Form 1) :
THEMES :
 Sadness

 Self-pity

 Loneliness

MORAL VALUES :
 Confidence

 Determination

 Positive attitude

 Courage

 Appreciation

 Gratitude

MORAL LESSONS :
 Self-confidence is the key to personal success

 We must be determined to improve ourselves for the

better
 Always try to be positive in life

 Be brave/courageous in everything we do

 Appreciate what we have

 Appreciate others

 Be grateful to God for His blessings

FOCUS on FEELINGS:
 STANZA 1 : feeling unwanted

 STANZA 2 : feeling useless

 STANZA 3 : feeling old

 STANZA 4 : feeling neglected

Note :
 The title ‘Sad I Ams’ tells us that the whole poem is

about the overall feeling of sadness.

 I Ams is used because ‘I am’ is the beginning of every

stanza – used FOUR times in the poem

Poem Sad I Ams (Form 1) : Practice 1 + Answers

STANZA 1
1. Where does the ring come from? Empty Cola can
2. Where do the scrapings come from? Unwashed porridge pan
3. What is Action Man? A toy
STANZA 2
Problems:

 The gum is gone

 The end cannot be found
 Toothless
 Springless
 Dried up
STANZA 3
1. What type of vehicle is referred to in this stanza? Car/van/lorry
2. Write the lines to suggest that the vehicle cannot start or move
3. Line 2 : the battery in which no charge is left
4. Line 3 : the starter motor which remains inert
5. Line 5 : the sparking plug which shows no sign of spark
6. Line 6 : the carburettor choked by bits and dirt
STANZA 4
List the items mentioned in this stanza

1. Garden
2. Library book
3. Stray
4. Advice
1. What happens to the action man?

Its arm is broken

2. What is the condition of the porridge pan?
It is unwashed/dirty.
3. What happens to the envelope?
The gum is gone.
4. What does the phrase ‘toothless stapler’ mean?
The stapler has no staple.
5. What happens to the liquid paper?
It has dried up.
6. Why do you think the starter motor remains inert?
It has broken.
7. What happens if someone uses a tyre with thread that is worn?
It is dangerous and may cause accident.
8. Why do you think the garden is overgrown with weeds?
No one uses the garden anymore/No one stays there anymore.
9. What would you do if you see a hungry stray on the street?
Feed them/bring them to animal shelter.
10. Less and less people like to go to the library these days. Why?
Because people can access to a lot of things using the internet at home.
11. What is the mood of the persona?
sad/disappointed.
12. What does the person forget to send?
A stamped addressed reply/ A return letter
13. In your opinion, how can we make the chromium trim shine again?
Wash and polish it.
14. Suggest two things that can cheer the person up.
i. Share their sadness with someone.
ii. Listen to some happy music.
15. If you could give an advice to your younger self, what would that be?
Don’t give up easily when there is a challenge/ Be brave/ Help people/ Don’t be
afraid to make mistakes/etc