Interpreting the Poem, 'Uncle Tu

This is Dylan's interpretation of Glenn Colquhoun's poem, Uncle Tu.

After reading and responding to this poem, the class was then asked to create their own relating to a person they know or knew.

Uncle Tu

Glenn Colquhoun

Walt: interpret figures of speech in a poem.

If you want to see him go to a river,

Look under the round water.                                     Yellow= Personification

Find the rock carved bluntly.                                    Blue= Similes

It should be greenstone.                                            Red= Metaphor

                                                                                     Green= Word I don’t know

Its eyes may swim to the surface like fish.

He is like that.

If you want to see him go to the top of a mountain.

Look down through the clouds.

Find the ground’s face.

This is Personification because the ground doesn't actually have a face

The eyes made of water. The volcanic nose.

This is Personification because water don’t have eyes

His bush lips and unshaven stubble.

Find the deep lines that a stream makes-

the skull of rock at his temples blown smooth

by wind and rain and the falling of trees.

This is a mixture of Personification and a Metaphor because rocks don’t have a skull.

The immediate distance.

He is like that.

If you want to see him, go to a church.

The walls should be made of wood.

The pews will be oak.

Stand inside on the smooth floor.

Breathe in the smell of the polish.

Wait for the bell to be rung.

Listen to the strong sound of the hammer on the iron.

It should be clear.

He is like that.

If you want to see him go to a place where treasure is kept.

Stand over a glass box.

Look inside for things that are worn.

The blunt tiki.

The smooth handle on a walking stick.

The old korowai sleeping

with a head tucked beneath her feathers.

Find the stone mere chipped around the edges.

.

And he is like that.

Definition for words I don’t know

Stubble: Short, Stiff hairs growing on a man’s face when he has not shaved for a while

Immediate: Occurring or done at once basically instant.

Korowai: A korowai is a cloak with feathers and tassels.