To use words that paint a visual in the readers mind.
Appropriate Poem Example:
Momma Welfare Roll
Maya Angelou
Her arms semaphore fat triangles,
Pudgy hands bunched on layered hips
Where bones idle under years of fatback
And lima beans.
Her jowls shiver in accusation
Of crimes clichéd by
Repetition. Her children, strangers
To childhood’s toys, play
Best the games of darkened doorways,
Rooftop tag, and know the slick feel of
Other people’s property.
Too fat to whore,
Too mad to work,
Searches her dreams for the
Lucky sign and walks bare-handed
Into a den of bureaucrats for
Her portion.
‘They don’t give me welfare.
I take it.’
Biographical Information:
Maya Angelou was born on April 4,1928. Her birthplace was St. Louis, Missouri. Maya Angelou is important because she is a well known poet, educator, historian, civil-rights activist, best-selling author, actress, playwright, producer and a self-made director. She is also a leader that most women look up to , because of her famous poem Phenomenal Women.
Interpretation of poem:
This poem talks about a African-American women who lives in the south. It talks about her struggles and how she deserves to get what is hers. Society doesn't give her welfare, because of her race. The quote "they don't give me welfare. I take it", it explains the attitude of non-charity. She takes what they owe to her, because she doesn't take handouts.
Visual Representation:
Explanation of Visual:
This picture explains the mood of the poem. It represents a black women and how she is mad at society, because they don't give her what she needs/deserve.
Citations:
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/momma-welfare-roll/