“TV NEWS”

By John Kitching

TV News: Poetry Express (PG.42)

The poem “TV News” is written by a poet named John Kitching. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a biography of this poet, but I enjoyed reading this little poem. This poem speaks about a young child at the age of twelve years old watching the news with his father, and sees that they are talking about the deaths of soldiers. He did not understand why his father was honored by these deaths. He was too young to understand.

I sat and ate my tea

And watched them die

And knew at twelve

That brave men died

On either side.

These lines were creating imagery for the reader because the twelve year old child ,was eating his breakfast, as he was watching the news, he saw soldiers dying on television whom he referred to as brave men. Of course his reaction like any child that young, is that he did not understand what was happening, he found it odd that his father had pride for these dead people he saw on television. 

At twelve I cried - and cried,

And couldn’t understand

My father’s beaming pride.

This reference caught my attention because, it is showing the innocence of  this child and it is sad that he does not quite understand why his father was proud of these deaths. He also does not understand those soldiers self worth, because of the way they died. I like the use of imagery in this poem because, you can easily picture the child sitting in front of the television with his father and witness everything that is occurring.

The Right To Vote

If we are old enough to put our lives in danger sitting behind a steering wheel, and make our own money as well as working with it, we should be old enough to vote. I find it very absurd how we have to wait until we are 18 years old to vote, because we at the age of 16 years old, most of us mature and we are able to make decisions on our own. Canada should lower the voting to the age of 16 years old, we also have Student Elections that occur in our schools, why should we not participate in the "real" elections, instead wasting our time doing a vote that will not be considered. In short, yes Canada should lower the age to 16 years old.

Your Adaptable Mind - Response

After viewing the short video Mr.Macpherson presented to us "The Adaptable Mind", I figured I had a couple of the traits they mentioned that a person should have in order to be successful. I am curious. I am eager to know anything interesting, especially what happens around the world because, I learn from it for example the issues going on in my country of origin, The Democratic Republic of the Congo. I have initiative on a daily basis. I am motivated by school because it's a place that will help me get better if I fail at doing something. It will motivate me to do better the next time in order to have a better grade. My parents motivate me because even though they built a great home for us and drive around with nice cars, they want us to have the initiative to do better than they did so that we can provide a better life for our children one day. I will continue to carry those traits along the way to be a successful person.