Courage Poem

I was young,

I sat back,

I watched as my mother staggered around,

Tossing beer bottles as if they were toys,

Tears raced down my face,

Courage is watching my mom get drunk knowing there's nothing I could do.
 

I walked to school every morning,

I pretended that nothing was wrong,

Everyday,

I would get teased,

But today,

I chose my words,

I spoke them to protect me,

Courage is standing up for myself against the girl who teased me.
 

I entered my house once again at the end of the day,

I saw my siblings,

I cooked for them,

I took care of them,

Courage is being the mother figure for my siblings.
 

One day,

I met this boy,

I fell head over heels for him,

I had my doubts,

In the end I didn’t let that stop me,

Courage is letting myself fall in love knowing I could get hurt.
 

We took the plunge,

We were happy,

Our love was real,

Courage is letting myself finally be happy.

 

A few years later,

He fell ill,

I sat back as the darkness overtook him,

There was nothing I could do,

I loved him,

Courage is watching as my husband dies.
 

I told my kids the news,

Of course they didn’t fully understand,

I took care of them,

The best I could,

With no father,

Courage is raising kids without their father.
 

I wanted a way out of all this stress,

I wanted to break so many times,

But I didn’t,

I held it together,

I will never be like my mother,

Courage is not falling into my mother’s alcohol ways.
 

I bought my kids everything they needed,

I taught them all of life’s lessons,

I provided the best I could,

I pushed myself everyday,

Not for me,

For them

Courage is trying to make a better life for my kids.
 

So when my eldest daughter,

Finally met the man of her dreams,

I was happy,

I helped plan the wedding,

I stood and waited,

Courage is watching my daughter walk down the aisle.
 

I see my own mother with tears streaming down her face,

Across the reception floor,

I took a deep breathe,

I walked over,

I embraced her,

Courage is forgiving my mother.
 

Without courage I would be nothing.

Courage is surrounding all of us. We can either choose to grab a hold of it and never let go or turn our backs away from it.

I chose courage. I am courage.

Found Poem

Words: Value, loser, insult, power, words, people, gives, younger, meaning, offensive, real, joke, sometimes, others, used, around, real, don't, understand, hurt

"Loser" gives power to people

It's used to insult others.

Sometimes people joke around.

But it's offensive and real.

Younger people don't understand the true value.

Words hurt.

I am the Messenger: My Thoughts

Thus far into the book, I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak, I can feel a personal connection with Milla. In the story, the author was describing Milla as a lonely, old lady who took companionship with her kitchen appliances. “And loneliness. She ate that, too” (Zusak 47). It kind of reminds of Bertram from Jessie. Bertram named his kitchen appliances. They were his friends. Furthermore, She’s been alone ever since her beloved husband died. I can definitely say from experience that I know what it's like to have a loved one pass away. It's almost as if a part of me is missing. A piece of me that won't ever come back. Milla most likely feels the same way about her husband, but when Ed came and acted like he was Milla's husband, Jimmy. You could tell that she was happy to have a companion again. I think what Ed did was really nice and kind. He cared for Milla when nobody else did. He saw how lonely she was and decided to do something about it. Not many people his age would even think of doing something so selfless. It makes me sad to know that Milla had to go 60 years without anyone to talk to or keep her company. “James Johnson; 1917-1942, Died serving his country, Beloved to Milla Johnson” (Zusak 60). Especially, without her true love. It shines a light on real life events and how situations like Milla's exist in the real world, too.

In my opinion, I feel as though Ed enjoys spending time with Milla. “It’s was like she held a string and pulled it in just slightly to open me up” (Zusak 48). It makes him happy knowing that Milla is enjoying their time together. He knows what it's like to be just as lonely as her. Even know he's surrounded by his friends: Ritchie, Marv, and Audrey. He still feels lonely and like his life had no meaning. But being able to put a smile on Milla's face made everything worth wild.

What I'm really afraid of is that somewhere along the way in the book Milla will die and then Ed will feel a piece of him lost. I hope that doesn't happen because I never like bad things to happen in books. Milla has already become a big part of Ed’s life. She filled a hole in his heart. He gave her a companion, but in a way she also gave him a companion. I always love a happy ending. I’m pretty sure it’s going to be really hard for Ed to keep this sherod going. He might soon start to feel the pressure of pretending to be Jimmy too unbearable. Ed did say he liked acting like Jimmy. “I like being Jimmy” (Zusak 55). But how long can that really last? Will he get tired of it? I can’t wait to find out the answers to my questions.