After reading the poem, Full of Love by Ashley Lawson I feel an astounding sense of sympathy for the most part.

The first seven lines of the poem, “They never knew the hurt inside, I always tried to smile with pride, […] But in the end it’s not enough, I never have been truly loved,” I can personally relate to. I understand the feeling of hiding hurt and feeling as though you’re less than worth it.

In particular, I relate the “they” in this poem to my family and close friends. Sometimes it all just becomes too much for one person to bare, especially when the person is as prideful and content with looking happy as I tend to be. Nonetheless, the last lines of the poem express a sense of relief in the storm of sadness which the first lines shadowed.

To me, I find that relief in little things. Lawson expresses her relief in the sense of a loving mom, whereas to me that feeling of joy comes from running a few miles, clearing my mind in an eno, or dancing my heart out at practice.

I haven’t always thought so deeply about poetry, nor have I ever thought I’d actually say I adore it. Recently (within the last year or so) I have resorted to using poetry as a way to express the thoughts I just can’t seem to type out in sentences. While writing I was going through a big downhill fall that I couldn’t seem to get out of. Poetry allowed me to say what I was feeling when I couldn’t physically say the words.

Many things and people have had grand influences on me growing up. In my life right now I feel as though the most impactful thing is my family (cliche I know but hear me out for a second).

My family constantly influences me but- unlike most- the struggles at home tend to outweigh the positives. Due to this I am constantly striving to do my best in school so I can get my credits and continue on my path to early graduation so I can leave before my time is suppose to be done.

Now I’m not saying my family doesn’t plant positive seeds. I’m not saying that at all. The struggles have made me a stronger person. They have taught me at a younger age that the world is not a kind place, which has prepared me for the “real-world”. The lessons I have been taught from my life at home without a doubt have shown me how strong I really am.

On the other hand, yes. Home is hard on me. Constant bickering amongst the walls that confine me to a secluded state of loneliness, and money-centered arguments have shown me the most negative sides of people I looked up to the most and have demonstrated the extremes of arrogant behavior.

To this day, the mixture of good and bad so-called “seeds” continue to influence my life. The impact these experiences have made on me has allowed me to grow into the girl I am today. My family is constantly reshaping my view and changing my perspective on life as a whole.

Martin’s Blog : first, I would like to say I agree with your opinion on how “2+2=4” relates to the world today. HOWEVER; IVE SUPPORTED BARCELONA FROM THE START SO CHILLLLLLLLLL..

Riley’s Blog : I couldn’t agree more with the issue social media on our devices has on our generations ideas and beliefs. s/o to your parents for allowing you to create your own thoughts about today’s matters. keep up the good writing.

Josie’s Blog : I COMPLETELY agree with the point you made about GPA and grades being the most important factor in the school system today even though I too wish I could just sit back and fully learn the material, that just simply won’t do if we want to get into college. It’s actually quite sad when you think about it. Keep up the great writing!!

In Orwell’s novel, 1984, he describes the value of education as seen by the party to be one of the biggest threats there is.

To me having a good education is the foundation for success in life. Education, although teens like me view schooling as a grooling inconvenience, is extremely important to our growth as individuals.

However; I also believe being fully educated deals with learning outside of the parallels of the algebraic equations which are engraved into our memory. I think to be truly educated in today’s world, a person must understand and learn from each experience they encounter outside of the hallways in the school.

In contradiction to my second paragraph,  in school I focus more of my attention on knowing what I need to know to pass the class rather than grasping each concept and learning them fully. Due to the ways of our society and educational system, to get into college a student must maintain a decent GPA so that’s basically all I’m striving for.