Even If You Weren't My Father by Camillo Sbarbaro

I think that this poem gave off the mood that it did because of the way that each stanza tells a story of the father. Instead of just describing what the father was like, the author used a story to make the reader see in context the father's traits that were so lovable. This makes the reader have a better connection to the father. They are able to better relate to a story and think of their own fathers in the same way.

It also brings up an interesting question about something I have never really thought about: what would I think of my father if he was a stranger? Would we be able to notice those things about our own father? I think the theme of this poem is not just the author loving the father but being able to see people's characteristics from the things they do. Not just seeing the outward act but seeing the deeper meaning behind their thinking. Then, in a way, the poem is showing that we love people for who they are on the inside and necessarily just the outward meanings they have for us.

I really like this poem because my dad is one of my favorite people in the world and I love him a lot!

A Work of Artiface by Marge Piercy

When I read this poem, I didn't think about women in general but about women from China. It was mainly because of the bonsai tree but then also with it talking about the bound feet and the dwarfed growth. But it can definitely pertain to many societies. The poet mentions things that pertain to many societies. Even in America, sure there is the old idea of the Cult of Domesticity of the 1800's, but even now with attractiveness and femininity still having a large role in our lives.

Piercy also seems to have a little bit of sarcasm. She says things like "It is your nature to be small and cozy" and "one must begin very early to dwarf their growth." It is as though she is expressing her own opinion by using the words of what she considers society's perspective of women. She is saying the things in a way that would make it seem illogical and inhumane which gets her point across that things are not happening in the right way.

I really liked the way she was able to make a point about society in this poem without bluntly saying that there was a problem.