This poem was inspired by Angie Thomas, who wrote the book “The Hate You Give”. The speaker from this poem is Starr, the main character. With the help of DeVante she understood both Khalil’s and DeVante’s situation.
DeVante was the innocent one
The one who didn’t want to sell or become a gang banger, none.
Hanging his head low because he didn’t have a choice.
Because he felt forced,
He felt like the world hung him low.
No choice but to become grown.
The truth was something that he did tell.
He knew he would never sell.
Step one leave
Step two protect
Step three change
That was something he arranged.
DeVante wanted freedom,
Something that preceded him.
He wanted to forget his past.
Guess what, he passed!
Down to the very last feather.
He went flying passed his ghetto life at last.
He couldn’t change that neighborhood,
It was something that he could never do.
To change the community,
they have to change as a unity.
Brianna,
This is a really nice poem! I haven’t read the book that inspired it, but the way this poem is crafted sure makes that book seem really interesting. There are a lot of important points that this poem makes. I think that the second stanza is really powerful because it shows that sometimes disenfranchised people don’t have any choice or opportunity to escape the way they live. But as the poem develops, it shows that with dedication to a cause, anyone can escape their situation and become what they want. I really enjoyed reading this and I hope to read your posts in the future!
Brianna,
This was a lovely poem. I have never read the book “The Hate you Give”, but from what you wrote I am now quite interested. I also think that the message you are trying to get across is a strong one that people don’t always understand. Your last two lines were so strong and true to todays world. If people want to inspire change, they have to work together, but it just takes one person getting another person involved and that can cause a chain reaction. I really enjoyed this poem and could see this persons journey through your writing. Thank you and I hope to read more from you in the future.
Briana, I think it’s really interesting you chose Devante. To some people he may seem like a minir character, but I think a lot of us get stuck like Devante soemtimes.