Single Effect Poetry

American Literature

       It has been a while since I have posted some of my writing here on my blog, and this seemed like a perfect opportunity. In my American Literature class, we just finished up learning about Edgar Allan Poe's use of Single Effect. It is when a story or piece of poetry is created to convey one specific emotion. As we finished up talking about it, my classmates and I we tasked with writing a paragraph or poem that utilizes this literary tool. I created three different compositions, all with their own emotion and feel.
       I hope you enjoy these pieces of poetry, and please leave any thoughts and constructive criticism in the comments. Any advice is much appreciated!

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No. 1 - Empowerment
“We Will”

We’ve been forgotten,
Cast aside, thrown away.
We’ve been silenced,
Threatened, beaten.
We have stood aside
And taken the punches.
But not any more.

We will be remembered,
Stood up for, and prove ourselves.
We will be heard,
Strong, and reinforced.
Our force is one to be reckoned with,
And together--
​
We will fight.
And we will win.

No. 2 - Sorrow
“Falling”

Your arms aren’t there to catch me.
That smile fades from view.
A once steady heartbeat in your chest,
Cannot attempt my rescue.
I am falling,
            falling,
                falling.

I can still hear you laughing,
Filling all people with delight.
I miss the way you held me close,
And convinced me everything was alright.
I am falling,
            falling,
                falling.

I keep expecting to turn around,
And see you standing there.
But every time I find you not,
I’m left in disrepair.
I am falling,

                falling,

                       falling...

No. 3 - Tranquility
“Solitary Companionship”

​Walking down a desire trail,
I feel my tension melt away.
Nature summons me to stay awhile,
So I sit.
Breathe.
In.
Out.
The sun shines upon my face,
Filling my body with an inner glow.
I feel blades of grass tickle at my legs,
Inviting me to stay.
In.
Out.
The wind blows at my top,
Making it flutter against my stomach.
Birds sing their balletic tunes, 
Waiting for another’s reply.
In.
Out.
A stream flows faintly in the distance,
And the trees rustle above me.
It is here that I am harmonic,
And find company in solitude.

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       Again, if you have any advice or thoughts on my poetry, please leave them in the comments. I hope to post more poems in the future here, so critique is much appreciated.

A poet in training,
Ashton

I keep thinking about blood, I dream about it. Wake up thinking about it. Pretty soon I'll be writing morbid emo poetry about it.

— Cassandra Clare, City of Ashes