My Own True Name Poem Analysis

From the Border “There probably isn’t a week of my life that I don’t have at least one experience when I feel that discomfort, the slight frown from someone that wordlessly asks, ‘What is she doing here?’” “The girl is powerless in the face of humiliation. A shower cannot wash away her pain. Without adequate recourse, the experience is devastating.” (Rowlands p. 22, 23). Pat Mora is an American poet of Mexican descent whose life has been subjected to racial discord. Most of her adult works are a response to this tension. She has written over forty books, which encompass poetry, fiction, and nonfiction. Her books largely address children. However, she has written a book for teens and young adults, called “My Own True Name”, as well as, a book for educators, called “Zing”. Three of her poems, “Suspense”, “One Blue Door”, and “Twilight Choir”, were written for children; and occur during and after a rain. Her use of diction entertains and speaks to children through these poems, as well as the way she weaves a story, which establishes her as an acclaimed poet. The titles of these poems do not elude to the theme of the poems when examined only for the purpose of attempting to interpret the titles. However, their significance is evident once the poems have been read. “Suspense” is well chosen when you interpret the impending

In one article, she, along with other women, is lauded for her work as a woman of color writing in the genre of nonfiction, thus increasing the potential for natural and cultural phenomena to be evaluated. The authors state that Mora’s outlook on nurturing cultural differences is just as important as animal diversity is to conservationists. Additionally, they state “Mora rightly emphasizes the conservation of Mexican, Central American, South American, and Caribbean cultures; but also addresses respect for many other cultures around the world.” (Gaard & Murphy pp.