#2

2. TPCASTT one poem and discover what it really says to you. Write about the poem and its theme, especially about how the poem’s message sheds light on the universal human condition/experience.



The one poem that I did a TPCASTT and found ME in was the "I meant to have but modest needs" poem. This poem heavily describes the search for satisfaction through prayer, problems with misunderstanding the nature and power of God, and ultimately, how our response to God in the circumstances of life affect our path. The reverent, calm and quiet mood made whatever voice that was prevalent in this poem so passive and enduring. The sibilance and alliteration coupled together tied the mood together to shed light on a greater understanding of human nature. I found that the rhythmic "Iambic"? meter helped the poem flow as well. However, something to note is the fact that this poem does not portray any reverent message at all. Instead, it reads in the fourth stanza, where there is the great general shift, "I left the place with all my might, - My prayer away I threw;..." This tells the reader that there is something wrong, that something is left out. Judging the last stanza, "But I, grown shrewder; scan the skies...", this also shows that there is shift in mood as well from reverent to defnesive and insecure. Overall, this poem shows how to humans, we're always wanting so much; from each other, ourselves, society, and God. This poem sheds light on the universal human condition that we are so fickle. What's more is that we live in such a massive world, yet God is even greater and still, we do not find happiness in God or the world. We often times do not find satisfcation in neither God nor the world, which is problematic. Our human desires will never cease. But I hope to turn that around, starting with myself.