Identity by Jon evans
They all try to look the same
all try to give themselves a name
pick on the boy who is all alone
just because his identity is his own
what has this world come to?
all this wrong that people do
just for the image they want to show
down the evil path they seem to go
The next person you go to hurt
or try to make feel like dirt
instead of trying to look cool
feel for the guy you make look a fool
A cool identity isn't a need
let those you bully be freed
Your identity should be your own
A better person you will be known.
all try to give themselves a name
pick on the boy who is all alone
just because his identity is his own
what has this world come to?
all this wrong that people do
just for the image they want to show
down the evil path they seem to go
The next person you go to hurt
or try to make feel like dirt
instead of trying to look cool
feel for the guy you make look a fool
A cool identity isn't a need
let those you bully be freed
Your identity should be your own
A better person you will be known.
Jon Evans was born in 1973 in Waterloo, Ontario. He wrote his first novel at the young age of 15 (although he views it as the worst work of fiction ever written). He attended he University of Waterloo where he studied electrical and computer engineering. In 1997 he quit his jobs and travelled around the world selling travel articles to Hong Kong, Toronto, and London globe and mail. In 1999 he moved to New York where he officially started his writing career.
I know he is a credible source because he has seven published books. He has also won many awards such as the Arthur Ellis and Forward book of the Year. All of his books are available in six different languages as well.
I choose this poem because it is deals with why people bully not just someone who has been bullied like most poems out there. This poem tells you to think before you act and show empathy. I really like how it talks about identity, which is something a lot of kids my age are struggling with. Most people just want to fit in and if that means they have to give up what makes them an individual they will, but as the poem states “A cool identity isn’t a need” shows that its ok to be who you are. This is one of the few reasons I choose this poem. It also fits my theme because to talks about bullying and thinking before you act.
This poem takes the form of AABB poetry, which every two sets of lines rhyme. It makes this poem catchier and stick in your mind more. It does draw your attention and with this poem works extremely well. Jon Adams use of rhymes also adds rhythm to the poem and allows it to be read with a certain beat. This beat allows the poem to be pieced apart and put into a specific structure.
The poem uses a few literary devices to help improve the poem a few examples are;
“Or try to make feel like dirt” this is an example of personification because dirt doesn’t have feelings, so the author is giving dirt a human characteristic in order to make a statement.
“They all try to look the same”, this is an example of a hyperbole because they are not literally trying to look the same they are trying to be similar to fit in. This is an exaggeration to prove a point.
“Just because his identity is his own” this is an example of materialization. An identity is not a physical object but in the context the author is using it it is.
Each of these literary devices contribute to the poem in the fact that they allow the author to express what he means without breaking his poetic form.
I know he is a credible source because he has seven published books. He has also won many awards such as the Arthur Ellis and Forward book of the Year. All of his books are available in six different languages as well.
I choose this poem because it is deals with why people bully not just someone who has been bullied like most poems out there. This poem tells you to think before you act and show empathy. I really like how it talks about identity, which is something a lot of kids my age are struggling with. Most people just want to fit in and if that means they have to give up what makes them an individual they will, but as the poem states “A cool identity isn’t a need” shows that its ok to be who you are. This is one of the few reasons I choose this poem. It also fits my theme because to talks about bullying and thinking before you act.
This poem takes the form of AABB poetry, which every two sets of lines rhyme. It makes this poem catchier and stick in your mind more. It does draw your attention and with this poem works extremely well. Jon Adams use of rhymes also adds rhythm to the poem and allows it to be read with a certain beat. This beat allows the poem to be pieced apart and put into a specific structure.
The poem uses a few literary devices to help improve the poem a few examples are;
“Or try to make feel like dirt” this is an example of personification because dirt doesn’t have feelings, so the author is giving dirt a human characteristic in order to make a statement.
“They all try to look the same”, this is an example of a hyperbole because they are not literally trying to look the same they are trying to be similar to fit in. This is an exaggeration to prove a point.
“Just because his identity is his own” this is an example of materialization. An identity is not a physical object but in the context the author is using it it is.
Each of these literary devices contribute to the poem in the fact that they allow the author to express what he means without breaking his poetic form.