Poetry Response #3: Sharon Olds "Rites of Passage"

"Rites of Passage" seems to focus on the competitive nature of males. At an early age, her son argues with the other boys at his birthday party over who could fight the other. "I could beat you up, a seven says to a six" is one such passage that reveals the author's implication that the male gender looks for reasons to fight, even at an early age.
Later in the poem, one of the boys says "We could easily kill a two-year-old," an interesting and disturbing revelation to the "masculine" nature that is developed at an early age. It is debatable as to whether this is a trait that is common in males, or if it is just the result of parenting. The fact is, this mindset must come from somewhere. Gender roles may not only be the result of culture, but an inherited gene that transcends from father to son.
She observes them as they begin their role-playing "like Generals" and begin to wage war. It's uncertain as to whether Olds is being an objective observer or has a bias against the opposite sex. However, judging by this poem and the poem "The One Girl at the Boys' Party," she seems to focus a lot on the innocence of the female gender and the nature of men to dominate others.

Poetry Response #2: Sharon Olds "The One Girl at the Boys' Party"

I think this poem represents a mother who is watching her daughter mature and attempt to understand more about the world around her world through calculation. While that calculation might be literal, it is probably more figurative than anything.
It represents her daughter's realization of the difference between the sexes but at the same time a sense of innocence as she doesn't appear to care much for impressing anyone as she wears her "silk suit with hamburgers and french fries printed on it." In the beginning of the poem she states "They tower and bristle, she stands there smooth and sleek" representing masculinity as opposed to femininity. Her maturation comes through the realization of the contrasts between herself and the opposite sex.

Poetry Response #1: Adrienne Rich "Living In Sin"

"Living In Sin" discusses the effects of living a careless life of a slob. This poem was very descriptive and in many ways seemed like the opening to a short story. The cleanliness of the patrons or lack thereof seems to be the focus of the poem. It also focuses on the aggravation of the supposed woman partner who has to clean up after the mess of an active, reckless life. Living in a life of despair she feels herself being "jeered by the minor demons." She thinks that maybe this isn't how she wants to live her life.
I think this poem represents a life in which a person is stuck in a rut of excitement and disappointment, in other words, it represents the life of a manic depressive personality. The woman in the story feels disgusted and dissatisfied with her life throughout the day but the poem ends with a glimmer of hope in which she looks to the stars and is suddenly "back in love again."