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Gate A-4 by Naomi Shihab Nye

The world renowned poet, Naomi Shihab Nye visited my school and inspired me to look into more of her poems. Her poems focus on one moment in time but how that small moment connects to large issues or themes we, as the audience, should be aware of. The poem I chose, Gate A-4, focuses on how our world should come together as a shared community. The theme–through the chaos and confusion, people should become united and comfortable with one another– is demonstrated through a moment when she helps a woman in an airport with a language barrier.

The author hears of a woman who speaks Arabic and needs help in Gate A-4. She helps the woman understand that her flight is delayed, not cancelled and relaxes and waits with the woman. The author demonstrates kindness through her actions of calling the woman's family and calling her own family to pass the time. Other people at the gate all come together and pass the time, no one reluctant to share–food, memories. Nye ends the poem with "This can happen anywhere. Not everything is lost."


Comments

  1. I liked how you understood one of her pieces and then write about the different aspects that made it sound good. Good job!!

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