Since I was a little girl, creative writing has been my biggest hobby. I specifically remember my grade six elementary school teacher write on one of my writing assignments that I could publish a piece of my writing one day, and this memory has stuck with me forever. Family, friends, teachers, and professors/instructors in college have given me hope that I could publish my own book one day and it has become a huge goal of mine. On this page of my e-portfolio, I will share some of my creative writing pieces that I have written over the years.
The Analysis of the Cycles of Life in William Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey”
When describing life and the numerous cycles that coincide with it, one could interpret it as being extraordinarily complex meaning that it can have many different meanings, connections, and symbolic interpretation for each individual. It is incredibly important for humans to look at the meaning of life and every phase throughout simply because it can enhance spiritual and philosophical thinking, give one purpose in one’s life, and create a sense of connection and belonging. The poem “Tintern Abbey” written by William Wordsworth is utterly fascinating and the author describes the cycles of life in many ways. One could interpret that William Wordsworth views the cycles of life as always changing just like the seasons and one’s age through time, life being compared to something as beautiful as nature, and everything comes to an end but can potentially live on through spirit.
Some individuals may have heard the truthful saying from wise elders that speak about things in life as continuously changing and that two things an individual cannot change is the weather and age. At the beginning of Tintern Abbey, William Wordsworth begins with talking about the progression of seasons when he says, “Five years have past; five summers with the length / Of five long winters!” (1-2). In comparison to these lines in the poem, one could interpret that there is a connection between the seasons of winter, spring, summer, and fall with progressing from boy to man. This belief is indicated in the following passage:
Though changed, no doubt, from what I was when first
I came among these hills; when like a roe
I bounded o’er the mountains, by the sides
Of the deep rivers, and the lonely streams,
Wherever nature led: more like a man (66-70)
One can interpret that these two separate passages signal a connection between stages of mother nature’s agenda for season change and human growth. For example, one can look out one’s kitchen window and see an extreme snow blizzard while just a few months pass and one can then see the sun gleaming, birds chirping, and green grass. These fast changes relate to the fast changes of human growth as well in that parents can look out one’s kitchen window and see a small three-year-old boy playing with toy cars to then looking out the window and suddenly seeing a young adult male getting into one’s car to drive to a local college. These passages in Tintern Abbey indeed show readers that the cycles of life are changing at a constant rate, but one can add that it is not necessarily a bad thing.
One could interpret that the thought of nature and life are quite similar in that both terms have beautiful, calm, and tragic moments. The author William Wordsworth throughout the poem continuously talks about nature and the beauty it encompasses. This is indicated in the following passage:
To look on nature, not as in the hour
Of thoughtless youth; but hearing oftentimes
The still, sad music of humanity,
Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power
To chasten and subdue. And I have felt
A presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man: (89-99)
One could suggest that the author’s continuous talk of nature is an attempt to be a symbol of the cycles of life in that life also has stages that are beautiful but also has a sad soundtrack at times. For example, joyful moments include babies being born, graduations and marriages while sad moments include those being diagnosed with dangerous diseases and deaths of loved ones. In nature, there are also moments that are beautiful and tragic. For example, rain pouring down on forest fires that are destroying the animal’s playground and habitat is beautiful and relieving while tragic moments include innocent animals becoming prey to predators. The cycles of life and nature relate with one another in many ways.
In life, populations have learned that everything always comes to an end and death is inevitable. Interestingly, William Wordsworth makes a spiritual connection with the idea of death. This is indicated in the following passage:
Until, the breath of this corporeal frame
And even the motion of our human blood
Almost suspended, we are laid asleep
In body, and become a living soul:
While with an eye made quiet by the power
Of harmony, and the deep power of joy,
We see into the life of things (43-49)
One thing that humans will never know for certain is what happens when the end comes, and death occurs. This passage that the author adds in the poem is very compelling. One could interpret that William Wordsworth has this idea that when an organism dies, the body dissolves entirely but the soul stays and lives on. This is another way in which the author attempts to explain the cycles of life. It is important to note that the idea of death is frightening for everyone because of the unknowing of if there is still life after death or if there is a complete end to life. Discussing death is a very spiritual and philosophical way of thinking and discussion. One could interpret that author William Wordsworth believes that humans live on in spirit through souls without bodies which may indicate that reincarnation can be a possibility during the cycles of life. One could argue that this is a beautiful interpretation of life.
In conclusion, the idea of life and its countless cycles is complex in that it has many different parts. According to the author William Wordsworth in Tintern Abbey, life is never stable and is continuously changing. Humans begin as an inexperienced infant and over time, experience through happy and sad moments lead to wisdom and adulthood. As seasons change in nature, age is also changing at a constant rate. Nature and life relate with one another through each of its tranquility, tragedies, and beauty while life and death hold a spiritual connection through the pondering of whether there is still life after death. William Wordsworth successfully explains the cycles of life in Tintern Abbey that allows readers to open one’s spiritual side.
In This Country Poem
Racism is a common Canadian issue,
But for many, the wish is for it to not continue.
We must acknowledge that diversity is real,
And acceptance is something that we should always feel.
In this country, we are taught to be kind,
And to have everybody’s interest in mind.
We are all equal,
If we thought otherwise, that would be considered quite evil.
Canada is the land of love and peace,
We all fly into the same direction of freedom just like our lovely Canadian geese.
Our goal is to be fair,
And show every individual how much we care.
We are not here to discriminate,
We are not here to intimidate.
God created me and God created you,
Giving out respect is something that this country must aim to do.
Carly Lorntsen
We Are All Equal Poem
In Canada, racism is still around everywhere,
Which gives me a feeling of despair.
Human ignorance still remains strong,
It is truly so wrong.
We must get educated on the history and the facts,
Because this is indeed, something that we lack.
It does not matter, your skin color or race,
Racism should never be the case.
We are all equal,
We are all genuine Canadian people.
Love, friendship, hope, and peace is what we desire,
The understanding of diverse culture is something that we aim to acquire.
Carly Lorntsen
Canada Is The Place Poem
It is a beautiful place where the trees grow,
Tall trees elegantly stand in a row.
They blossom from a seed,
Now mother nature is all that we need.
Canada is the place,
Where all this magic certainly takes place.
Canada’s main symbol is the maple leaf,
Belonging to everyone no matter your religion or belief.
Canada is the land of the courageous forest,
With the maple leaf on our country’s flag, representing its importance.
We need our tree planters to contribute to our future industry,
Without them, we would lose our country’s dignity.
Carly Lorntsen
Wouldn’t It Be Nice? Poem
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could accept our differences and all get along?
Wouldn’t it be nice to acknowledge our senses of right and wrong?
We are all beautiful in our own way,
Is that so hard to say?
We still use vicious insults to put others down,
So that we can stand high above them like we wear the superior crown.
We are all human beings, no matter what our race,
We all carry value and beauty is something that we should embrace.
Canada has addressed this issue making it a top priority,
The hope is that it will create change among the majority.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all respect others and their rights?
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could voice our opinions and not engage in fights?
Wouldn’t it be nice?
Carly Lorntsen
AWARD WINNING POEM IN THE EIGHTH ANNUAL POETRY CONTEST “LIFE’S COMEDY OF ERRORS” written by Carly Lorntsen:
When You Want Some Harmless Entertainment
When you want some harmless entertainment,
Some may risk it all for that cash payment.
The thrill of the slot machines and betting,
Can lead you to lose which is upsetting.
Losing money and goods for certain needs,
As winning is almost never guaranteed.
Disappointment and financial strain,
Can all be effects from the gambling game.
Gambling can indeed lead to addiction,
Causing debt and the threat of eviction.
The lottery and casinos are cruel,
They make us all look like a silly fool.
Using capitalism for cash gain,
Will result in those crying in the rain.
Making it seem like you will win a prize,
Will influence a million more tries.
You will tell yourself just one more last spin,
With big goals of that unrealistic win.
There once was a girl at the brand-new ripe age of nineteen,
Who only wished to go to the casino as part of her birthday routine.
Casino attendants believed she looked too young to be there,
They were shocked that her parents were not present anywhere.
The nice men and women asked the young lady for identification to claim her age,
Only for this to put her into a humorous rage.
The casino attendant man apologized and said how she only looks fifteen,
And the woman said that she will be the youngest big winner that this casino has ever seen.
The casino workers laugh and chuckle as they notice her determination and drive,
They smile and say how she is naĂŻve, young, and here to feel alive.
She sits down at the nearest slot machine with a crisp twenty-dollar bill,
A few spins and the disappointment results in her feeling like roadkill!
She decides to pull another twenty-dollar bill from her pocket,
Making that common error that many gambling lovers do to try and make a prophet.
The nineteen-year-old quickly realizes that luck is not on her side,
And this first casino experience has hurt her pride.
An elderly woman sits down beside her and states how she was her age once,
And goes on to ask her what is all the fuss?
The young lady explains how she wanted to be the biggest casino winner,
So that she could buy luxurious items and have a fancy dinner.
The elderly woman chuckles and leans over to give the young lady some wisdom and advice,
She states that if you wish to live comfortably, work hard and you will not have to think twice.
That means to stay away from casinos and betting,
Because they will only leave you in a frustrated state and sweating.
Spend your money wisely on things such as college,
Which will give you rich opportunities for life and beneficial knowledge.
Working hard in life will give you the biggest win,
Take a chance at life’s biggest wheel of opportunity and make that spin.
Casinos are supposed to be a form of harmless entertainment and joy,
Do not let it play you like a toy.