Concrete Poem--The Beacon
Reflective Endnote: "The Beacon"-- Visual Concrete Poem This is a concrete poem that I created with the intention of encompassing the strength and beauty of lighthouses. I first learned about concrete poems in eighth grade with Mr. Royal as an English teacher. I found the concept of concrete poems very interesting as they directly provide readers with an accurate visual portrayal of the author's thoughts. For my concrete poem, I chose to write about lighthouses because of a recent trip to the beach. I noticed a lighthouse standing strong and tall near the shore and imagined how much it had endured throughout the years. I thought about how a lighthouse could connect to my own life and how I want to live in accordance to a lighthouse's dependability. The poem is written in the shape of a lighthouse in red and black text with a light symbolizing "hope" above it. Below it are synonyms for "endangerment," "danger," and "peril" in the form of rocks, representing what the lighthouse protects individuals from. The words "discouragement," "vehemence," and "destruction" are written in the shape of waves to symbolize troubles that carry individuals to possible danger. Finally, I wrote the words "helpless," "lost," and "distressed" in the form of seagulls, symbolizing individuals that are saved by the light of the lighthouse. Ultimately, I want to imitate the strength and sturdiness of a lighthouse in my own life and to provide hope and faith to others. This genre connects to my thesis because part of my American Dream involves living a life of happiness and simplicity, all the while striving to become a strong individual to aid others.