tone

Pole vault is all fundamentals; you don't even get to go into the pit until you learn how to run with the pole, build the strength to carry the pole, and have the right form when you run. The pole is too high, start over. Your steps are off, start over. You need to run faster, start over. Then, once you actually get to go into the pit, you don't get to go over a bar. The bar is a rubber band that is kind of a so called "kitty" bar. The whole going over this band doesn't happen. You have to practice the first form of pole vault that you learn on the ground, except now it's in the air. Day by day, a pole vaulter learns form, literally from the ground up, till one day you get to actually put the puzzle together and perform the jump. Maybe one day I'll actually get to pole vault.

I Thank You God

Unlike the rest of these poems, this one is somewhat lively and positive, unlike the other depressing and remorseful poems. It's important to recognize that the capitalization of YOU is important. The author is emphasizing that he is thankful for his amazing day not because of who was in it but of God giving him this marvelous day. It sounds like someone who has been lifted and forgiven for a sin because the author talks about being born again, and now the ears of my eye awake and the eyes of my ear are opened. It's weird how this is put because it's completely flipped. It's very positive because it is the birthday of life and love and wings; this doesn't sound too sinister to me. For once, this person is finally seeing the light and being forgiven and relinquished from their sin. This might be a person who has finally accepted God and church into their life and is finally seeing life from a broader point of view. I can relate this to when I first started going to youth group and was open to the idea to having faith in God; I really see a lot of myself in this poem.