LA HBL Poem Analysis

This poem showcases the story of a man in an Iraq war. He writes down his feelings and experiences in a form of a poem. He uses hyperbole to elaborate the difficult tasks at hand. He uses present tense to give a vivid description of the atmosphere.

I know it is the Iraq war as Steve Carleson is an ordinary soldier who has experienced 3 years of war. He joined the United States Army in October 2000 and went to Infantry Basic Training, and Airborne School in Ft. Benning Georgia. He then reported to D Company 1st battalion 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. 82nd Airborne Division in Ft. Bragg North Carolina. He deployed to Kosovo in November 2001 as part of peace keeping operations. He Deployed to Afghanistan in of December 2002 where he participated in combat operations. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 2003. This proves that this is the Iraq war as that was the only war in that time period. Also, the mentioning of Hindu Kush ,which was a prominent part in the Iraq war, further proves that this was in the Iraq war.

He brings out the difficult missions he had accomplished through the use of a wide variety of hyperbole. Firstly, he describes the difficulty of running with all his equipment through a heavy rain. He felt as if the rain was made of "lead", an extremely dense material. It also meant the lead in gun ammunition, thus, showing that he was retreating while gun shots filled the air. He also use a hyperbole in describing the mountains he was required to climb. He compared the mountains with the sky by saying that they were "so steep, so high they kiss the skies". Therefore, he feels that the mountains are extremely high and difficult to climb. He then went on to describe the war zone on the mountain as "hell" and it is so close to "god" as in heaven.

In line 3-12 he used present tense to give the reader a sense of happening. It is as if the reader is the one going through the entire ordeal. This puts us in the shoes of Steve, giving us a better and deeper understanding of what he has been through. "Bullets are flying, the LZ is hot" are all in present tense. When reading, it feels as if the reader is in the moment, looking at the bullets flying and the landing zone bustling with activity.


Reference:
http://maytheforcebewithu.blogspot.com/2010/05/we-slept-with-our-boots-on.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_Kush
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paratrooper

LA HBL Poem Analysis

Difficulty Rating: * * *
We Slept With Our Boots On



They unloaded the dead and maimed right before our eyes
They washed out the blood, we loaded our ruck’s and then took to the skies
Over the mountains, villages, and valleys we flew
Where we would land we had not a clue
Bullets are flying, the LZ is hot
We’re leaving this bird whether we like it or not
30 seconds they yelled, Lock N Load and grab your shit
Get ready to go and make it quick
My heart is pumping adrenalin through all of my veins
I run as fast as I can through the lead rain
The noise is tremendous, terror I can’t define
The only reason I survived that day was divine
I kept pulling the trigger and reloading and pulling some more
You do what you have to do, with that I will say no more
We fought from the valleys to the mountain peaks
From house to cave, to car to creek
Dirty and tired and hungry and scared
We slept with our boots on so we were always prepared
Those majestic mountains so steep, so high they kiss the skies
The Hindu Kush has changed so many lives
Up the mountains with heavy loads we trod
Who knew hell was so close to God
Beauty and terror are a strong mixed drink
So we drank it like drunkards and tried not to think
Good men and bad men, Mothers lost son’s
Everyone loses their innocence when they carry guns
Washed in the blood, and baptized by fire
I will never forget those who were called higher
They say blood is thicker than water, well lead is thicker than blood
Brothers aren’t born they’re earned. In the poppy fields, the tears, and the mud
And when I get to heaven to Saint Peter I will tell
Another Paratrooper reporting for duty sir, I spent my time in hell

Steve Carlsen

Term 2 Lesson 2

The picture depicts a soldier, lying on the floor holding a gun. His instincts of a living organism gives hi the longing to shrink himself, to be insignificant. At the same time, his soldier instincts pushes him to put up a brave front. The soldier face is in a mask of horror. It is obvious that he is scared. There is debris lying around him, suggesting that explosives have been used. He is alone. No friends, companions or fellow soldiers surrounding him. Facing your enemies with peers is definitely better than facing it yourself. In every war, the atmosphere would be dense with death and despair.

Term 2 Week 4 (Weekend Assignment)

The recent nuclear disasters have certainly sparked of many unpleasant remarks about nuclear energy. However, I feel that nuclear energy benefits not just us, but all life on the planet! Some advantages of nuclear energy include the power plants needing less fuel than those which burn fossil fuels. One ton of uranium produces more energy than is produced by several million tons of coal or several million barrels of oil. Also, coal and oil burning plants pollute the air. Well-operated nuclear power plants do not release contaminants into the environment at all. This might just be the cure for global warming.
Even if we compare the damages that it has caused towards that of a normal power plant, I would still agree that nuclear energy is better. we know for sure that all power plant pollutes the air and causes climate change. On the other hand, only a few nuclear plants have been a severe threat to mankind and even then, they are only that way because of uncontrollable accidents like tsunamis.
Therefore, we should always strive for the better with what we can control, instead of letting a mishap hamper our progress, why not find a better way to make nuclear energy safer?

Term 2 Week 5 (Weekend Assignment)

'Students should be given more freedom in deciding school rules.' What are your views?


In a country, without laws, there will be chaos; in a school, without rules, there will be disorder. Therefore, a school must have its own rules and regulations. This is to ensure that the students have a peaceful environment to study in. As such, it should be the students that make the rules. Students should have their rights to set their own rules, students should exercise their leadership and most importantly, enjoy their time.

In Singapore, people elect the parliament which makes laws. Therefore, the students as the next generation should also be able to have a sort of platform in which they have a choice, a democracy. Most of the rules in school like not wearing ankle socks or having a school uniform are not that important yet it still takes place. As a result, many students disagree with the rules and tend to break it from time to time. All they get is a few demerit points which can affect the life of a student. Scholarships, oversea trips, university placings might all just vanish. If we, as students are not allowed to make our own rules, how can we be the future generation of democracy.

Making rules are an essential part of leadership. As a leader, one must make sure that his group stays peaceful so work can go along efficiently. In order to do that, rules must be laid. As the old saying goes," practice makes perfect", students have to practice making rules so they can lead the people in the future. Therefore, I think we should start making rules from young so we would do well as leaders of tomorrow.

Finally, studying is best done while enjoying the lessons. letting students have the power of making their rules will satisfy their demands for better school rules. Although some people might think the students will just make rules so they can do anything they want, I feel that this is highly unlikely. The students who makes the rules would be elected by the students. If the student makes rules just for his entertainment, he would most likely be sacked. By the end of the day, good rules would still be made and the students would enjoy themselves.

In conclusion, students should make their own rules as it benefits the student in academics, future leading and for childhood happiness. So why not go for it, it might just help bring us to a better tomorrow.

Term 2 online lesson 1

Dear Uncle Sam,

How are you, I am writing to you to tell you about my very first experience of an earthquake. It was probably the most frightening, yet exciting moment of my life. Last Friday, Japan was struck with an 8.9 magnitude earthquake in the northeast region. It was just my luck that my family moved to Tokyo last month.

When I first noticed the tremors, I was in class studying. Suddenly, the entire school building started to shake as if it had a life of its own. Then, we noticed cracks appearing on the walls, creeping like vines. Immediately, we all crawled under th table as practiced many times. Under the table, I felt helpless. There was nothing I could do, we were sitting ducks! After what seemed like eternity, it was all over. We cautiously crept out. The destruction was eminent, ceiling lights were on the floor; rubble was all over the place; everyone had a look of pure terror in their faces.

I immediately rushed home but all I saw was rubble. Thankfully, my family members all escaped unscathed. I really envy you, Uncle Sam. Singapore has no natural disasters, your life must be extremely peaceful.

Sincerely, Kaye Tan

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