Genius of Poetry Essay

Jarime 

5/22/19 

Genius of Poetry

     

Maya Angelou vs. Drake

Phenomenal Woman

By Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.

I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size   

But when I start to tell them,

They think I’m telling lies.

I say,

It’s in the reach of my arms,

The span of my hips,   

The stride of my step,   

The curl of my lips.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,   

That’s me.

I walk into a room

Just as cool as you please,   

And to a man,

The fellows stand or

Fall down on their knees.   

Then they swarm around me,

A hive of honey bees.   

I say,

It’s the fire in my eyes,   

And the flash of my teeth,   

The swing in my waist,   

And the joy in my feet.   

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Men themselves have wondered   

What they see in me.

They try so much

But they can’t touch

My inner mystery.

When I try to show them,   

They say they still can’t see.   

I say,

It’s in the arch of my back,   

The sun of my smile,

The ride of my breasts,

The grace of my style.

I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

Now you understand

Just why my head’s not bowed.   

I don’t shout or jump about

Or have to talk real loud.   

When you see me passing,

It ought to make you proud.

I say,

It’s in the click of my heels,   

The bend of my hair,   

the palm of my hand,   

The need for my care.   

’Cause I’m a woman

Phenomenally.

Phenomenal woman,

That’s me.

God's Plan

By Drake

Yeah they wishin' and wishin' and wishin' and wishin'

They wishin' on me, yuh

I been movin' calm, don't start no trouble with me

Tryna keep it peaceful is a struggle for me

Don’t pull up at 6 AM to cuddle with me

You know how I like it when you lovin' on me

I don’t wanna die for them to miss me

Yes I see the things that they wishin' on me

Hope I got some brothers that outlive me

They gon' tell the story, s**t was different with me

God's plan, God's plan

I hold back, sometimes I won't, yuh

I feel good, sometimes I don't, ay, don't

I finessed down Weston Road, ay, 'nessed

Might go down a G.O.D., yeah, wait

Category 1: Got the Feels

Phenomenal Woman- In this poem, Maya Angelou explains the secrets of being a phenomenal woman. The mood in this poem is confident and powerful. For example, the author says “It’s the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth,” which describes how the character carries herself. The tone is positive and happy. Through this poem, the author shows that a woman is phenomenal by how she presents herself.

God’s Plan- In his song, Drake wishes for no trouble and that people will remember him for the good things he’s done. The mood of the song is frustrating and upsetting. His lyrics, “ I don’t wanna die for them to miss me Yes I see the things that they wishing' on me” show the struggles that Drake is dealing with. The tone is serious. Drake wants people to know that he is different and that he is willing to help others.

The winner of Got the Feels category is Drake. Drake won because his mood and tone showed how serious he felt, which the audience could also feel.

Category 2: Sound Maestro
Phenomenal Woman- The poem begins with an “A, A, B, A” rhyme scheme. This changes to a “A,B,A,B” scheme at the seventh line. This poem has a free verse style. The author uses rhymes throughout the poem but not in an ordered pattern. She repeats the word “ phenomenally, phenomenal woman” at the end of each stanza. This song does not have examples of onomatopoeia.

God’s Plan- This song has a free verse style. Each couplet shares a theme. In the first line, Drake repeats “wishin” four times. He does this several times in the song. In lines 3-10, Drake ends each line with the word “me.” He uses some rhymes in the song but not in a specific pattern. This song does not have examples of onomatopoeia.

The winner of Sound Maestro is Maya Angelou. The author has more creative and unique rhyme and rhythm schemes. 

Category 3: Mastery of Connection

Phenomenal Woman- Throughout the poem, the author describes the stereotypes of beautiful women. The author includes descriptions of a woman’s body and how she dresses. However, the second line of the poem states, “I’m not cute or built to suit a fashion model’s size.” This shows that the character does not fall into society’s belief of what beauty is. However, the author shows that the character is confident and proud by stating, “Just why my head’s not bowed. I don’t shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud.”

God’s Plan- The symbolism found in Drake’s song deals with his enemies. The lines “I been movin' calm, don't start no trouble with me Tryna keep it peaceful is a struggle for me,” show the obstacles that Drake has to face. Drake also says, “Hope I got some brothers that outlive me They gon' tell the story, s**t was different with me.” These lines show that Drake wants his friends to tell others the truth about him and the type of person he was. Lastly, in the line “Don’t pull up at 6 AM to cuddle with me” describe how Drake does not want a girl who is only with him when she wants to be.

The winner of Mastery of Connection is Phenomenal Woman. The poem has more examples of symbolism, imagery, and metaphors. 

Category 4: Hype Virtuoso

Phenomenal Woman- The author uses hyperbole when she states “Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.” This line describes the character as an attractive queen who is surrounded by men. Also, the author uses personification when she states “And the joy in my feet.” This shows that the character moves and walks with confidence. The irony of the poem is that although the character may not look like a model, her beauty comes from her confidence.

God’s Plan- Drake uses hyperbole when he says “Might go down a G.O.D” Drake wants to share his wealth with others and be remembered for his good deeds. The irony in the song is in the verse “I don’t wanna die for them to miss me.” Drake wants people to remember him while he is still alive. However, most celebrities are remembered after they pass away. 
The winner of Hype Virtuoso is Phenomenal Woman. The author uses hyperbole, irony, and personification in the poem. Drake only used hyperbole and irony in his song.

The Genius of Poetry is Maya Angelou. In the poem, Phenomenal Woman, the author uses many different elements of poetry. Although the poem has a free verse style, she uses a hook to highlight the theme of the poem. Her word choice conveys confidence. Her use of imagery creates a picture of a phenomenal woman. The poem has a powerful meaning that many women can relate to.