Unseen poetry
- Practice 2
There are two questions in the Unseen Poetry section, as well as two poems. The first question is worth most of the marks (24), and the second is worth just 8 marks. Also, the second is assessed on AO2 only.
1. In ‘Testament’, how does the poet present ideas about youth?
‘Testament’ by Carolyn M. Rodgers
child,
in the august of your life
you come barefoot to me
the blisters of events
having worn through to the
soles of your shoes.
it is not the time
this is not the time
there is no such time
to tell you
that some pains ease away
on the ebb & toll of
themselves.
there is no such dream that
can not fail, nor is hope our
only conquest.
we can stand boldly in burdening places (like earth here)
in our blunderings, our bloomings
our palms, flattened upward or pressed,
an unyielding down.
2. In both ‘Testament’ and ‘Mother to Son’ the poets describe advice from a parent to a child.
What are the similarities and/or differences between the methods the poets use to present this advice?
‘Mother to Son’ by Langston Hughes
Well, son, I'll tell you:
Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
It's had tacks in it,
And splinters,
And boards torn up,
And places with no carpet on the floor—
Bare.
But all the time
I'se been a-climbin' on,
And reachin' landin's,
And turnin' corners,
And sometimes goin' in the dark
Where there ain't been no light.
So, boy, don't you turn back.
Don't you set down on the steps.
'Cause you finds it's kinder hard.
Don't you fall now—
For I'se still goin', honey,
I'se still climbin',
And life for me ain't been no crystal stair.