Animal Farm : Revision of the Past

Just Kidding

Battle of Cowshed
Many had fought,
but most brave of all – Snowball
to save animals, he got shot.

Later, when he was gone
some still remembered his feat
but, Oh, just kidding!
He was actually a cheat.

Snowball and Napoleon argued.
And when Snowball planned
for a great, big windmill
Napoleon passionately contended.

No, just kidding.
Squealer explained
that it was in fact Napoleons plans.
And it seemed so valid..

"No animal shall drink alcohol"
It was to be the process,
Just kidding, it was truly
"No animal shall drink alcohol to excess."

Such as these were modified
but t’was all justified
Except for one, drilled deep in their minds
from a land distant time.

"Four legs good, two legs bad"
Even the sheep knew, that’s what was sad.
Already, it is altered
"Four legs good, two legs better"

Life in equality, no humans, no tyranny
was really, all too imaginary
for when time came for understanding
they found that the pigs were just kidding.

Poetry Out Loud Performances

Shawntay A. Henry recites Frederick Douglass By: Robert E. Hayden with a powerful voice that causes my brain to slow, and catch every word she says. Her physical presence alone was sure to define confidence; the thoughtful glance she had, the confident stance she took, and the key movements she expressed deliberately were as if she were the one who wrote the poem. However, it was her voice and articulation that helped me understand the meaning of the poem. The strength behind the words she delivered was not at all hindering, nor overwhelming. It held the passion of a story teller telling her own story, and the authority of high rank.

Listening to her recitation helped me interpret the poem. Basically, what Hayden was trying to capture with his poem was that the hard work put into acheiving freedom mustn't be forgotten. Frederick Douglass was a slave, beaten for his hope in a freedom that we've taken for granted, and he must not be forgotton. The beauty and grace of freedom must not be forgotton. For the dream of a man in history is now alive in our hands, and we must keep appreciating it, or it is worthless.