We+are+More

= Assignment: Describe what the poem means to you. Discuss the use of metaphor to create analogies in the mind of the listener. How does the impact of this poem change when you hear it as apposed to reading it? Use specific examples from the text. = == Penticton's Shane Koyczan, 34, woke up Friday a big fish in a small pond: a Canadian celebrity on the slam poetry scene. But by the time he went to bed (at 6 a.m.), he was something of an international sensation. ==

** 1."Define Canada ** ** You might say the home of the Rocket ** ** Or The Great One ** ** Who inspired little No. 9s and little No. 99s **

** 2. But we're more than just hockey and fishing lines ** ** Off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes **

** 3. And some say what defines us ** ** Is something as simple as 'please' and 'thank you' ** ** And as for 'you're welcome,' well, we say that, too **

** 4. But we are more than genteel or civilized **

** 5. We are an idea in the process of being realized **

** 6. We are young, we are cultures strung together then woven into a tapestry ** ** And the design is what makes us more than the sum totals of our history **

** 7. We are an experiment going right for a change ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** With influences that range from A to Zed ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** And yes, we say 'Zed' instead of 'Zee' **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 8. We are the brightness of Chinatown and the laughter of Little Italy **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 9. We dream so big that there are those ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Who would call our ambition an industry ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Because we are vineyards of good year after good year ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** We reforest what we clear **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 10. Because we believe in generations beyond our own ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Knowing now that so many of us ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Have grown past what we used to be ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** We can stand here today ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Filled with all the hope people have ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** When they say things like 'someday' **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 11.Because we are more ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Than a laundry list of things to do and places to see **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 12. More than hills to ski ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Or countryside ponds to skate **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 13. We are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 14. We are first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy living cafes **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 15. A country that is all the ways you choose to live ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** A nation that can give you variety ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Because we are choices ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** We are millions upon millions of voices ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Shouting, keep exploring ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** We are more **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 16. We are the surprise the world has in store for you, it's true ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Canada is the 'what' in 'what's new' **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 17. So don't let your luggage define your travels ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Each life unravels differently ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** And experiences are what make up ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** The colours of our tapestry **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 18. We are the true North ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Strong and free **

<span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** 19. And what's more ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** Is that we didn't just say it ** <span style="font-size: 1.3em; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** We made it be" **

Shane Koyczen's poem We are More, is poem about Canadians and who they are. He uses the word "we" when he is describing all Canadians and starts off with common stereotypes which I find ironic because he is saying what the outside world thinks of Canadians when at the same time he is describing all Canadians as one. Although, mainly all he says is good things, there are many Canadians that do not fit the stereotype Shane Koyczen created. I did enjoy the poem though, it's a descriptive, imaginative poem that gives a good name to Canadians and it made me feel proud to be a canadian.

<span style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"> "We are an idea in the process of being realized" This metaphor creates an analogy in my mind of Canadians being a group of people working hard and progressing, trying to become discovered. I think it's explaining how with all the stereotypes Canadians have, we still try to be accepted.

<span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** "Filled with all the hope people have ** <span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px; margin: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;">** When they say things like 'someday'" This was my favourite line in his poem, it shows how we dream for something better and have hope that the world will progress and become a better place. **

<span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 25px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 5px;"> ** " ** ** A nation that can give you variety **

** Because we are choices" Canada is a multicultural country which is brought up several times in his poem but this specific metaphor shows that everyone is different, not just about different cultures but different lifestyles as well are accepted. **

** " **** we didn't just say it ** ** We made it be" This line makes me think of the quote "it's easier said than done" explaining how before we said we would do something, we already had it done. **

** Shanes Koyczen's performance of this poem at the Olympics was well done and created a better effect then simply reading the poem. He used different speeds and voice levels for effect and paused in certain spots that left you hanging. The way he performed intriguing and well done. **

6/6