Aphrodite Made Me Do It



ChangePema Chodron, one of my favourite Buddhist teachers, writes the following about change:As human beings we share a tendency to scramble for certainty whenever we realize that everything around us is in flux. In difficult times the stress of trying to find solid ground—something predictable and safe to stand on—seems to intensify. But in truth, the very nature of our existence is forever in flux. Everything keeps changing, whether we’re aware of it or not.Well, right now it’s safe to say that we are all very much aware of change. So much in our lives has changed in the past few weeks. Read the following poems by Trista Mateer which talk about personal change, and then write your own reflections and a poem about change. Aphrodite Made Me Do ItBy Trista MateerNote: The following poems are from this poetry book by Trista Mateer. The poems are all untitled. I have added titles to them for clarity when discussing them. The titles I’ve used are from the journal notes she has on the pages opposite them. “Letting Myself Grow”The same wayshe rose from the sea,you rise like a phoenixfrom the ashes of thingsthat no longer serve you.You mythic bird.You unbelievable thing.Allusion: a brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing or idea of historical, cultural,?literary (often mythical or biblical)?or political significance. It does not describe in detail the person or thing to which it refers.Find the links to the myths on my website: englishsquad.blog. Look for the post in the blog that starts “English 10 myths”How do we know that the “she” Mateer refers to is an allusion to Aphrodite?Explain how the allusion to the Phoenix adds to your understanding of the poem.“Change”I’m trying to rememberto make room in my lifefor the person I am now,not just the people I have been.Is it ever good to remember the person you have been? Explain. In what ways does the “[person] I have been” restrict you from being the person who you are, or the person you would like to be?abridged list of things to let go if you want to be happy:old versions of yourself / ideas about who and what you were supposed to be / other people’s expectations of you / societalexpectations of you / gender norms / heteronormativity /internalized ideas about what your life is supposed to look like /the idea that romantic love makes you whole/ relationships thatcause you more grief than they’re worth / people who cross yourboundaries / family that makes you feel unsafe or unwelcome / the need to make your happiness look like everyone else’sComment on the structure and the syntax of this poem. Why do you think there are no periods, not capitalization and only a slash to separate the lines?Writing assignment: Write a poem, in any style or format that you wish, about change or a specific change.How do you feel about change? What emotions does change bring? What ideas do you associate with change or what does it make you think about? ................
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