My Family
Did you see us on the telly, Mum?
When we sailed away
Laughing, waving, cheering
Like in films of yesterday.
Did you read it in The Sun, Pop?
How we pasted them first time.
You told me all about your war.
What do you think of mine?
Did you get the letters home, dear?
How I missed you and was sad.
Did you give my love to Tracy?
Does she miss her funny Dad?
Did you see us on the hillside?
Could you spot which one was me?
Were the flowers very heavy
For a grown up girl of three?
This would be for a Secondary 2 Express class. I feel that it says a lot about the sacrifices one has to make in war, and the anonymity of it all -- how one is just another pawn to be used, and eventually killed and buried with others. This poem tells the story from one soldier's perspective, and depicts his individuality. The tone is also very interesting in that it is told in an eager, excited manner that doesn't quite go with the sombre subject matter. My take is that the contrast causes the poem to have more of an impact on the reader, and also serves as a reminder of how the glorification of war is really a facade. It would be interesting to hear what the students think of it.
These are the scaffolding questions:
1. Look at only the title. What do you think the poem is about?
2. Now read the rest of the poem. How has your impression of the poem changed? What do you think it's about now?
3. What happens to the persona and what makes you think so?
4. What is the tone of the poem? Does it change, and how?
5. How does the tone affect your understanding of the poem?
Good choice of poem. I think it's simple yet complicated at the same time. Questions are also well-crafted. For students who don't "get" the poem, what you could do is to highlight the use of pronouns in this poem so that students understand who is "us", "you" etc.
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