Mackenzie Jackson's digital poetry project is dedicated to those feeling lost and emphasizes that they are not alone in their struggles. The document includes analyses of classical poems by various authors and original pieces by Jackson, addressing themes of self-worth, love, and personal growth. Ultimately, it encourages readers to embrace their uniqueness, pursue confidence, and understand the complexities of life through poetry.

1. Poetry Dedication Digital
Project
BY: MACKENZIE JACKSON

2. Dear Lost Ones,
I am dedicating this to you out there that are just like me. When you think you’re the
only one going through something and no one understands you. You’re wrong. I
realized that I’m not the only that has gone through some tough stuff, and I’m telling
you now, you’re not alone either. I hope by reading these poems, explications, and
some of my original stuff will give you confidence to concur anything that comes
your way!
Sincerely,
Your life twin

3. Classical Poem #1
Life and Art by Emma Lazarus
Not while the fever of the blood is strong,
The heart throbs loud, the eyes are veiled, no less
With passion than with tears, the Muse shall bless
The poet-sould to help and soothe with song.
Not then she bids his trembling lips express
The aching gladness, the voluptuous pain.
Life is his poem then; flesh, sense, and brain
One full-stringed lyre attuned to happiness.
But when the dream is done, the pulses fail,
The day's illusion, with the day's sun set,
He, lonely in the twilight, sees the pale
Divine Consoler, featured like Regret,
Enter and clasp his hand and kiss his brow.
Then his lips ope to sing--as mine do now.

4. Explication #1
In this poem, Life and Art, it talks about emotions and how Emma Lazarus
character’s life in it is like a poem. Poems hold many different
themes, rhythms, emotions, and lengths. Like in the lines of her this poem, “Life is
his poem then; flesh, sense, and brain One full-stringed lyre attuned to happiness.
But when the dream is done, the pulses fail,” each line of a poem is a part of his
life, and when the poem ends, he is no more. He leaves this world and enter
another. That’s what I understand from the last line, “Then his lips ope to sing--as
mine do now.” To me, it symbolizes him singing his praises because he has gone to a
better place, and we sing along with him. He’s made it through the harshness and
joys of life, and ended up in an even happier, better place.
A poem has meaning and depth. Each life has mean and definitely depth. So many
things go on and it’s hard to put down on paper. In a poem you can sum up so many
happenings to tell a story from experiences.

5. Classical Poem #2 Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou They try so much
But they can't touch
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. My inner mystery.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size When I try to show them
But when I start to tell them, They say they still can't see.
They think I'm telling lies. I say,
I say, It's in the arch of my back,
It's in the reach of my arms The sun of my smile,
The span of my hips, The ride of my breasts,
The stride of my step, The grace of my style.
The curl of my lips. I'm a woman
I'm a woman
Phenomenally. Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman, Phenomenal woman,
That's me. That's me.
I walk into a room Now you understand
Just as cool as you please, Just why my head's not bowed.
And to a man, I don't shout or jump about
The fellows stand or Or have to talk real loud.
Fall down on their knees. When you see me passing
Then they swarm around me, It ought to make you proud.
A hive of honey bees. I say,
I say, It's in the click of my heels,
It's the fire in my eyes, The bend of my hair,
And the flash of my teeth, the palm of my hand,
The swing in my waist, The need of my care,
And the joy in my feet. 'Cause I'm a woman
I'm a woman Phenomenally.
Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman,
Phenomenal woman, That's me.
That's me.

6. Explication #2
I love this poem, Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou! Us women should walk tall and
proud. We are strong and independent. If we walk with a sense of pride and confidence,
people begin to wonder what is so different about us. Even in a crowd of young very pretty
women with slim bodies and perfect features wonder; according to this section: “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.”
Men are attracted to confidence just like this part is saying, “And to a man, The fellows stand
or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees.” They like a
challenge and the chase. If we are confident and act like we are independent and don’t need a
man to make us happy, they take that on and “swarm like a hive of bees”. Even men wonder
what is so different and are drawn to us.
We don’t have to be loud, or make a ruckus to get everyone’s attention. We just simply need to
walk tall, be confident have pride in ourselves. We don’t need everyone else to feel
accomplished or important.

7. Classical Poem #3
Hope by Emily Bronte
Hope was but a timid friend;
She sat without the grated den,
Watching how my fate would tend,
Even as selfish-hearted men.
She was cruel in her fear;
Through the bars, one dreary day,
I looked out to see her there,
And she turned her face away!
Like a false guard, false watch keeping,
Still, in strife, she whispered peace;
She would sing while I was weeping;
If I listened, she would cease.
False she was, and unrelenting;
When my last joys strewed the ground,
Even Sorrow saw, repenting,
Those sad relics scattered round;
Hope, whose whisper would have given
Balm to all my frenzied pain,
Stretched her wings, and soared to heaven,
Went, and ne'er returned again!

8. Explication #3
In this poem, Hope by Emily Bronte, is kind of depressing and sad. “Hope was but a timid
friend; She sat without the grated den, Watching how my fate would tend, Even as selfish-
hearted men.” I think hints to our courage. Once we have a sense of happiness and begin to
hope, something happens and we become discouraged. The hope we had, is stolen away and
left us in the state we were. Same as in this paragraph: “She was cruel in her fear; Through the
bars, one dreary day, I looked out to see her there, And she turned her face away!” Again, we
begin to hope, and once that hope is gone, we are left sad and depressed. We are afraid to look
to hope again because we don’t want to get hurt and have to same thing happen to us over and
over again. If we do being to be hopeful of something or someone, we are left to have our hearts
broken again.
The end of the poem sounds like the character in this has given up all hope and never saw it
again: “Hope, whose whisper would have given Balm to all my frenzied pain,
Stretched her wings, and soared to heaven, Went, and ne'er returned again!” Once we are full of
hope and are high above the clouds and couldn’t be happier…we are brought down and again
and crushed. Soon realizing the frequent reoccurrence and then giving up all hope.

9. Classical Poem #4
Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

10. Explication #4
The author, Shel Silverstein, wrote Where the Sidewalk Ends to tell the reader that
there is a better place. Leave “the place where the smoke blows black” and walk with
“a walk that is measured and slow”. The part where it says “watch where the
chalk-white arrows go” I think means to follow your feet and keep walking and not to
look back. Past the “asphalt flowers” and “dark street winds and bends” is where the
“sidewalk ends”. Here, the grass grows soft and white, the sun burns crimson bright,
and the moon-bird rests from his flight to cool in the peppermint wind. I believe this
is saying that at the end, it’s peaceful and calm. You’ll be able to get away from the
dark times or sadness, stress, depression, or anything else that is impacting you
negatively and be able to relax and be at peace. Like the saying “there’s light at the
end of every tunnel”. Things will be better in the end.

11. Classical Poem #5
Touched by An Angel by Maya Angelou
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
and in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls.
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love's light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.

12. Explication #5
I love this poem that Maya Angelou wrote called “Touched by An Angel. It has so
many truths to it; like the last 2 lines: Yet it is only love which sets us free. Without
love in your life, you will be discouraged, fearful, in a degree of pain, and definitely
lonely. When someone shows you love, you are happy and gain a sense of self-worth.
I was asked one day if one could live without love. I said no in the beginning, but after
reading this poem, I am more convinced that one cannot live without love. It’s a
powerful thing and you don’t realize it until you’ve experienced it and the feelings
that are involved.

13. Original Poem #1
Good Enough
Have you ever had a thought
Oh it’s just good enough
That’s good enough
Or I’m NOT good enough
I’ve thought all of the above
But I realized
This is not the right mind set to have
You should not just settle for good enough
When looking for someone in the dating realm
Never settle
For the guy you think
Is good enough
When doing homework and projects
Do the best you can
And never say
It’s/that’s good enough
If you settle for good enough
You won’t be satisfied
With your spouse
Or life in general
We all want
The best in life
So do not settle
For less than you deserve

14. Why?
So many people have this kind of mind set of “good enough”. We think we aren’t
good enough, that’s good enough, or they’re good enough. Just like I mentioned in
the poem, you can’t just settle for less than you deserve. When looking for a person
to date and maybe marry in the future, you don’t want to settle and say, “oh, he’s
good enough”. expand your options and try new things. Meet new people and find
the person that is just right for you. When doing homework and project, don’t do
most of the requirements, do them all and do a good job. Don’t look at something
you are some-what satisfied with and say it’s good enough.
Now, the statement a lot of people say, “I’m not good enough.” This is not true!
Everyone is their own person and perfect in their own way. We may think we have
flaws, and we may but that opens an area of improvement if you’re not happy. That
doesn’t mean you’re not good enough; for someone, a job, to succeed, anything. God
made you in His image and created you to be exactly as you are. Be you, no one else.

15. Original Poem #2
Indescribable feeling
No one word or phrase
Can describe the feeling.
The world becomes a haze
When our eyes are meeting.
In my stomach, butterflies
Fluttering around and forgetting tomorrow.
Knowing there will be no more goodbyes
I will hold no more sorrow.
The gentle touch of your hand
Fingers entwined , I like it best.
The meeting unplanned
Only with you, I am truly blessed.

16. Why?
I wrote this poem talking about that moment or first date with that amazing person.
We get butterflies and can’t stop smiling. You share laughs and light conversations.
In the end, it might not work out, but that doesn’t mean to stop looking for another
opportunity to meet that special someone. A favorite quote of mine is, “It’s meant to
be, even if it’s meant to be for a little while.” Everything happens for a reason. You
get lost in each other’s eyes, as the night goes on, you don’t even think about
tomorrow. You’re in the moment. And those kinds of moments were not made by
chance, they have a purpose. You were suppose to meet that person and share those
feelings with them. Maybe in the end things don’t work out, but you learn from
experiences. You grow in your mistakes, and cherish the memories.

17. Original Poem #3
Man of my Dreams
Tall, strong, and brawny,
This man, I want for me.
Not pail, thin, and scrawny,
This, not my cup of tea.
Handsome, witty, and wise,
Skin not too fair,
Bright ocean blue eyes,
Dark chocolate colored hair.
One who will love and protect,
Being caring and compassionate,
Unhappiness they would detect,
And then become affectionate.

18. Why?
Everyone won’t be on the same exact page as I am on this poem because everyone
has their own image on that perfect man. Mine happens to be the tall, dark, and
handsome. A lot of women may agree, but some may not and that’s fine. You know
what you are attracted to. You know what kind of man catches your eye. You know
what you like and want, so why not go after it? Take chances, be bold, and you may
surprise yourself.
I think everyone wants a man who will be there for them. If you’re unhappy and
upset, you want them to comfort you and be compassionate. You want to feel
protected and most of all, loved. You want to be treated like a princess. Everyone
wants to be happy but are scared of falling in love and having their hearts broken. I
cannot guarantee you will never be hurt, but I can promise you, you will find love.

19. Original Poem #4
Struggles
Starting at an early age
You being to realize
What the world thinks
Is a perfect mind..body..personality
Looking in the mirror
And being disgusted
Not liking yourself
And believing you are ugly
Using man-made products
To cover what you think
Are imperfections
Trying to become beautiful
What you don’t realize
Is that you are already beautiful
In your own way
And in everyway
You’re afraid people will think
You’re weird..strange..different
You just want to be normal
Who is to say what normal is?

20. Why?
I wrote this poem because I know that so many people think of themselves as ugly or
not pretty. You see all these adds and things on TV about make up and ways to cover
up your true beauty. They can help with hiding some unwanted blemishes I’ll
admit, but don’t cover up those freckles, moles, or smile lines because those make
you who you are. They are you. So many people have plastic surgery and cake on the
cover up to make themselves look as a Barbie doll would; the perfect skin, hair, body.
Why would you want to look like something or someone everyone else wants to look
like? Be unique and different. Stand out and make a statement that this is me. Don’t
let anyone break you down. Who are they to judge and say what is normal?

21. Original Poem #5
Building a Wall
Taking chances
And getting hurt
Scared of rejection
And scared to venture
My heart burdened heavy
The pain of the past
All of the love
Now lies
To protect what I hold dear
To keepsake my heart of fear
A wall was made
To barricade.

22. Why?
I know I’ve gone through this recently where I’m just tired of getting hurt and put
down. To protect my heart, I built an emotional barricade or wall if you will. This
way I will protect my feelings and be cautious on who I trust and if they are worthy
of my affection. Holding back my heart from any passing guy, helps keep my sane
and free from heartache. You may pretend not to care, but it’s simply not in our
nature. With this wall, it makes “not caring” a little easier because you’re not giving
your heart away to every guy that catches your attention and treats you like you’re
the only person on earth. You will have guys come and treat you like you’re one in a
million. You are, but they don’t realize it. This wall will protect you from the smooth
talking, sweet words said by fork tongued men that will tell you anything and
everything you want to hear. This way, that one guy that is willing to climb your wall
and steal your heart will be eligible for you trust. Until then, be safe, protect your
heart, and hold your ground.

23. Biography
I am Mackenzie and I am a graduating senior. My whole middle school through high school
career, I have been through a lot and have over come all of it. I’m not saying it was all bad, but
there were definitely some trying times.
In middle school, I let someone take my heart and everything seemed like a fairytale. The
relationship ended drastically. I wasn’t sure of how he was taking it, but it really took a toll on
me. After about a year and a half, I was able to try the relationship thing again.
In my years of high school, I have been in many different relationships; whether it’s with
friends, boyfriends, family, etc. I’ve been played, used, hurt, and taken advantage of. Thus, I
built a wall around my heart to protect myself from the pain of life. I do have great times with
guys, but I don’t give out my heart freely like I once did. I’ve made great memories with some
great people! I’ve learned life lessons and overcame many obstacles.
This project inspired me to share some of my stories in a way and spread hope to those who
have gone through or are currently going through the same things. Something I’ve
learned, you are never alone in anything.

24. Hope you enjoyed this poetry project!
Just remember:
“It’s meant to be, even if it’s meant to be for a little while”
