Download Tom Wayman`s “Did I Miss Anything” Literary

D ID I M ISS AN YT H IN G?
Tom Wayman
From: The Astonishing Weight of the Dead. Vancouver: Polestar, 1994.
Question frequently asked by
students after missing a class
Nothing. When we realized you weren't here
we sat with our hands folded on our desks
in silence, for the full two hours
5
Everything. I gave an exam worth
40 per cent of the grade for this term
and assigned some reading due today
on which I'm about to hand out a quiz
worth 50 per cent
10
Nothing. None of the content of this course
has value or meaning
Take as many days off as you like:
any activities we undertake as a class
I assure you will not matter either to you or me
15
and are without purpose
Everything. A few minutes after we began last time
a shaft of light descended and an angel
or other heavenly being appeared
and revealed to us what each woman or man must do
20
to attain divine wisdom in this life and
the hereafter
This is the last time the class will meet
before we disperse to bring this good news to all people
on earth
25
Nothing. When you are not present
how could something significant occur?
Everything. Contained in this classroom
is a microcosm of human existence
assembled for you to query and examine and ponder
This is not the only place such an opportunity has been
gathered
but it was one place
And you weren't here
___________________________
30
English 12 Writing Portfolio
Tom Wayman’s “Did I Miss Anything” Poetic Analysis
(12 points in WP)
Before you begin:
Terms/phrases to define (in your notes, not Writing Portfolio):
a. “attain divine wisdom in this life and/ the hereafter” (lines 19 and 20)
b. microcosm (noun) (line 28)
c. to query (verb) (line 28)
Evaluation: Answer in complete sentences in a way that if the reader hadn’t read the
question, he or she could understand what you’re referring to. For the questions below,
there are no specifically “right” answers. A right answer, in this case, is one that shows that
you have thought about the questions and composed a response.
Suggested length per answer: a short paragraph (3-7 sentences).
Each question will be marked out of 3. See below.
3 Proficient
2 Satisfactory
1 Limited
0 Insufficient
Choices contribute to a
skilful composition. Diction is
precise and effective.
Spelling, punctuation and
grammar are correct.
Writing shows style.
Choices contribute to a
conventional composition. Diction
is adequate to convey meaning.
Spelling, punctuation and
grammar are adequate
although there may be a few
errors. Writing is clear.
Diction is imprecise
or inappropriate.
Errors in spelling,
punctuation and
grammar affect
meaning.
The assignment
has not been
fulfilled as
stated.
Questions on Poetic Form & Meanings:
1. What can you notice about the structure of this poem?
Consider patterns, word choice, spacing and punctuation to start.
2. Read the last word of every line aloud.
What types of words are usually used at the ends of the lines?
3. What occurs in lines 19-20 is an enjambment, which means the phrase runs from one
line to the next without a punctuated pause. The line is not stopped by the end of the
line, nor by punctuation.
What effect does enjambment have on the way you read the lines?
Read them aloud a couple of times to see.
4. What meaning do you make with this poem?
What do you picture or think about from this text?
Do a two-minute quick-write to see what thoughts come out. AND/OR Do a twominute quick-sketch, again, to see what thoughts might be revealed on paper.