We+Are+More

__**We Are More**__ by Shane Koyczan

Define Canada You might say the home of the Rocket Or The Great One Who inspired little No. 9s and little No. 99s

But we're more than just hockey and fishing lines Off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes

And some say what defines us Is something as simple as 'please' and 'thank you' And as for 'you're welcome,' well, we say that, too

But we are more than genteel or civilized

We are an idea in the process of being realized

We are young, we are cultures strung together then woven into a tapestry And the design is what makes us more than the sum totals of our history

We are an experiment going right for a change With influences that range from A to Zed And yes, we say 'Zed' instead of 'Zee'

We are the brightness of Chinatown and the laughter of Little Italy

We dream so big that there are those Who would call our ambition an industry Because we are vineyards of good year after good year We reforest what we clear

Because we believe in generations beyond our own Knowing now that so many of us Have grown past what we used to be We can stand here today Filled with all the hope people have When they say things like 'someday'

Because we are more Than a laundry list of things to do and places to see

More than hills to ski Or countryside ponds to skate

We are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait

We are first-rate greasy spoon diners and healthy living cafes

A country that is all the ways you choose to live A nation that can give you variety Because we are choices We are millions upon millions of voices Shouting, keep exploring We are more

We are the surprise the world has in store for you, it's true Canada is the 'what' in 'what's new'

So don't let your luggage define your travels Each life unravels differently And experiences are what make up The colours of our tapestry

We are the true North Strong and free

And what's more Is that we didn't just say it We made it be


 * Assignment: Describe what the poem means to you. Discuss the use of metaphor to create analogies in the mind of the listener. How does the impact of this poem change when you hear it as apposed to reading it? Use specific examples from the text. **

I think the poem is about Canada being a great country to live in. For example, the poem states “what defines us is something as simple as 'please' and 'thank you' ”. Canada is known for some things, such as The Rocket, or The Great One. The Rocket and The Great One are both legendary hockey players who are known all over. The poem refers to all the small things such as fishing, skiing, and hockey. These are things that define Canada, but the poem points out that Canada is more than all that. The poem describes Canada as “an idea in the process of being realized”. The poem has many metaphors that instantly create analogies in the listeners head. For example, “the brightness of Chinatown and the laughter of Little Italy”. The brightness of Chinatown describes all the flashing red lights because of all the signs and stores. The laughter of Little Italy describes the cheery and loud atmosphere of Little Italy. The metaphors are very effective in describing Canada in lots of detail, but also in very few words. The poem sounds more effective when read out professionally. When it is read, certain verses stand out more. For example, when he said “And yes, we say 'Zed' instead of 'Zee'”, many people in the audience laughed, but if you were to read that it wouldn’t be too funny. The poet can give the poem emotion and help illustrate points with movement of hands and body. However, when a poet reads his poem, it goes by very fast and the listener may not hear some verses that have a lot of meaning in them. After hearing the poem, a listener can then read the poem and then be able to catch the verses that they missed or maybe even understand some inner meanings of the many metaphors.