Test Prep 3: Writing About a Poem

     I was recently introduced to a wonderful poem called "Birds," by Marilyn Feldman. The poem described the author's visit to her old apartment building, and how everything has completely changed. The author used birds to symbolize changes in the apartment, and her life.
     This poem shows the reader of two encounters with birds. The first example is a flashback of when the author lived in this apartment building. The flashback reads, "One day Mrs. Dumberman's parakeet/ flew across the courtyard/ and into our kitchen window." Then the poet describes the feeling of the moment and how it was exciting and crazy and interesting. She also remembers thinking birds could fly endlessly through everything and just keep going forever and ever. This was a simple time for the author, she thought birds were invincible, and everything was super easy and carefree and happy. Then the poem shows the author presently, visiting the apartments again. This part reads, "When I heard the house was abandoned- .... I wanted to go back/ for one more look/ at the bird." Now that she's gone back, everything is gone. She doesn't see lively birds flying around everywhere. Now, the author sees an empty place with no exciting wild life to roam free. The author also talked about wanting to go back, but now everything has changed, so she can't go back in the past. The poet expresses that she misses these times, and wish they were the same.
     This poem can most definitely to relate to everyone in a figurative sense, rather than a literal one. Not everyone has had special encounters with birds. Not everyone has an old apartment to visit that has become abandoned. However, change does happen eventually in everyone's life. Whether it be school, home, family, friends, you, almost everything changes in one's life, sometimes for the good, sometimes for the bad. What also happens in almost everyone's life, is people missing old ways. There are so many times when I wish things were the way they used to be, and I'm sure many other people have similar feelings. This poem is a perfect example of something changing, and the person wanting to go back to the times before. I think it is easy to realize that this author wishes they could go back in time, ad because of that, readers will be able to connect to this poem, and really enjoy it.