Driving Home

By: Macie Coker, Jordan Holland, Mae Anne Mangaoil and Waleed Shammout

Preface (by Mae Anne Mangaoil)

Connections for Life is a non-profit organization founded in 2000, which is dedicated to

helping women who have been incarcerated have a second chance in life (“Helping Women and

Children Rebuild Their Lives” 2019). Moreover, most of the women in the program have been

heavily influenced by their environment and the people that they surrounded themselves with.

For many of them, their life has been mostly full of unhappiness, sufferings and regrets, which

makes them almost feel like they are forever at the bottom of the wheel. However, through this

program, they are given a sense of hope that their life can still be filled with happiness and

opportunities, and they can be on top of the wheel again.

Moreover, through this anthology project entitled, “ Drive Home,” we aim to highlight

the different journeys that these women have taken to be in the position that they are in today.

We compare their lives to a wheel, where although their lives have been full of sufferings and

misery (bottom of the wheel), their courage and determination to change their lives around and to

be in better control have propelled them to this program (top of the wheel). Their continued

efforts and hope make them closer to the lives that they want to live.

Additionally, we chose these poems because they show how despite how miserable your

situation is, you have the power to change your future as long as you have a sense of hope,

determination and the courage to be a better driver behind the wheel of your life. Furthermore,

this message is emphasized through the use of various poetic and literary devices such as rhyme

scheme, various forms, hyperbole, personification and many more.

Table of Contents

“If -” by Rudyard Kipling

“No Hands” by Carol Muske-Dukes

“To My Mother” by Wendell Berry

“Driving Home Through Night Fog” by John Fandel

“The Wheels Of Life” by Ernestine Northover

“The Wheel” by Vinda Karandikar

“Tribute to Mother” by John Greenleaf Whittier

“Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann

Epilogue

Works Cited

Poems

1. “If -” by Rudyard Kipling

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,

But make allowance for their doubting too;

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,

Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating,

And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise;
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;

If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with triumph and disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,

And stoop and build ‘em up with wornout tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”;

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch;

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much;

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

 With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run—

Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,

And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Commentary:

Group Member: Macie Coker

The above poem by Rudyard Kipling expresses ambition and reads as a motivational

passage. In evaluating Ms. Elaine’s life through poetry, it is her personal drive, as well as all

ladies in the Connections for Life program, that I admire so greatly. In this poem, Kipling brings

awareness to the struggle it is to be considered a success. He uses repetition in almost every other

line with the phrase “If you can...” as well as an “abab cdcd” rhyme scheme to emphasize his

words. As in lines 13 and 15 “If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken/ [...] Or watch the

things you gave your life to broken,” Kipling expresses to his audience that it is not always the

world or any external source that might cause us grief. Through this stanza, and in other places

within the poem, he says that the struggle can be emotional and from personal failures. Kipling

offers words of encouragement specifically in the final stanza when he writes “Yours is the Earth

and everything that’s in it, And-which is more-you’ll be a Man, my son!” (lines 31-32).

Rudyard Kipling is most known for his work with children’s novels such as The Jungle

Book. While this poem reads from a father to his son, the beauty of poetry being relatable, allows

my interpretation of this poem to span to how I empathize with the ladies at Connections for

Life. I admire and am incredibly proud of each woman in the program for having a common

desire to drive positive change in their lives. Whether it be for their children, or in Ms. Elaine’s
case “to be a contributing member of society again,” each strong woman makes decisions every

day to grow and drive positive change in their lives.

2. “No Hands” by Carol Muske-Dukes

He rode “no hands,” speeding

headlong down the hill near

our house, his arms extended,

held rigid away from his body,

our small daughter behind him

on the bike in her yellow sunsuit,

bare-headed. She held on to him

for her life. I watched them from

above—helpless failed brake.

Far below us, a stop-sign rose

like a child’s toy shield. He could

not stop, he would not. That hunger

for display over-rode danger, illusions

of safety. Even death had less to do

with it than the will’s eventual triumph

over stasis: how he’d finally fly free

and how she might accompany him,

as an audience travels with a performer,

an object of regard. Downward, fast—

 so what cannot stop holds on, holds on

in a mind flying away from itself, seeking

release from the soul speeding away, yet

staying close as breath, even at this distance.

Commentary:

Group Member: Macie Coker

This poem by Carol Muske-Dukes tells the same story from three varying perspectives.

As a bicycle is racing down a hill the author touches on the child’s perspective holding “on to

him/ for her life” (line 7-8), the father recklessly driving the bicycle, and the mother who

watches in dismay at a distance. This poem uses an abrupt tone in the opening lines to capture

the emotion of the reader. The tension within the lines is expressed through the poem's structure,

specifically near the end of the poem with the lines “Downward, fast -/ so what cannot stop holds

on, holds on” (lines 19-20). The poem acts as an extended metaphor for the life of a child being

steered down a path in innocence, while those of deep admiration and care can hardly bear to

watch.

In tying this theme to the life of Ms. Elaine, it was evident through our interview

conversation that Ms. Elaine’s mother deeply loved her and while she did not condone the

addiction, she knew that it would be ultimately up to Ms. Elaine to redirect her life. Ms. Elaine

was visibly still upset talking about her mother’s passing; however, she attributes much of her

commitment to sobriety to the death of her mom. This poem by Carol Muske-Dukes shows the

emotional relation between Ms. Elaine, her mother, and the life of addiction she was

momentarily and seemingly trapped in. The imagery of the “I watched them from/ above -
helpless failed brake” (lines 8-9). This reckless drive can be seen as an extended metaphor for

the life battling addiction seeming to drive out of one’s control until a point of forced halt or

redirection.

3. “To My Mother” by Wendell Berry

I was your rebellious son,

do you remember? Sometimes

I wonder if you do remember,

so complete has your forgiveness been.

So complete has your forgiveness been

I wonder sometimes if it did not

precede my wrong, and I erred,

safe found, within your love,

prepared ahead of me, the way home,

or my bed at night, so that almost

I should forgive you, who perhaps

foresaw the worst that I might do,

and forgave before I could act,

causing me to smile now, looking back,

to see how paltry was my worst,

 compared to your forgiveness of it

already given. And this, then,

is the vision of that Heaven of which

we have heard, where those who love

each other have forgiven each other,

where, for that, the leaves are green,

the light a music in the air,

and all is unentangled,

and all is undismayed.

Commentary:

Group Member: Jordan Holland

The poem “To My Mother” by Wendell Berry is a story about a rebellious son who has a loving

and forgiving mother. No matter what he does, she never reprimands him. Sometimes she is so

relaxed about situations that the son has to “wonder if you do remember; so complete has your

forgiveness been” (Berry 3-4). Children with mother figures like this have the opportunity to

never feel trapped or alone if they realize the lifelong support their mother can provide.

However, this caring nature can be forgiving to a fault and cause problems sometimes. Halfway

through the poem, even the main character begins to realize that he never noticed the fault in his

actions because he was never chastised and instead received loving acceptance.
 This poem stood out to me as a peak into the untold dynamic was between Ms. Elaine

and her mother. During our interview, Ms. Elaine mentioned multiple times that she was a

rebellious youth that pushed the limits of what she could get away. Typically, when something

happened, her mother was always there to support her and help her get back up on her feet.

Similar to the main character in the poem once her mother passed away, she identified that this

may have been the reason why she didn’t feel pressured to change her ways earlier on. However,

when asked who her role model was, she admitted that she aspired to be a loving and

understanding person just like her mother.

4. “Driving Home Through Night Fog” by John Fandel

You just about see, inch by inch, in fog.

It sends the headlights back upon themselves.

It barely lets the road come crawling through;

You go creeping towards road crawling through;

It makes you existentialist of Is;

Was, wiped out behind the tail lights; Will Be,

Still to be seen . . . breathed--breathing your held breath,

As you go inching Is by Is along,

Is-ing into Will Be--to Well Being,

You hope, you hope. It isn’t to unlike

Driving home through night fog, living a life.

It isn’t to unlike a life,

Driving home through night fog. You can say it

 Both ways. You still can’t see to far ahead.

Commentary:

Group Member: Jordan Holland

Throughout life, there are times when people may encounter obstacles and roadblocks, but with

perseverance anyone can make it through a tough situation. John Fandel perfectly captures this

message using the extended metaphor of “driving home through night fog” (Fandel 11) as a

comparison to a person’s ability to push through obstacles that get in their way. This quote was

used in his 1980’s poem, “Driving Home Through Night Fog”. A few key words such as “Is”,

“Was”, and “Will Be” are being verbs that Fandel uses to describe a timeline of events from the

viewpoint of the past, present, and future. As humans we always live in the present which “Is”

what we are currently doing, which has been impacted by what “was” a thing of the past, and

affect our cautiousness as we move towards what “Will Be” our future. With perseverance and

the ability to break through all barriers, people are able to continue following Fandel’s

alliteration advice of “Is-ing into Will Be” (Fandel 9) as they strive to break free of a stagnant

life-style and finally reach their dreams of “Well-Being”.

Elaine is a Connections for Life participant who personifies the type of perseverance

necessary for her to stay strong even in situations where the fog “sends the headlights back

upon” (Fandle 2) her. Despite her being involved in multiple car accidents, incarcerated six

times, and losing her mother, she has never once stopped pushing forward towards her goal of

getting clean, reuniting with her son, and becoming a dental assistant. She has always been a

resilient individual with the ability to push through any adversity, but she has struggled to realize

her full potential. Now that Elaine has surrounded herself with a community of resilient and
motivating women at Connections for Life, she is slowly realizing the full potential of what she

can achieve.

5. “ The Wheels Of Life” by Ernestine Northover

The wheels of life keep turning,

Propelling us along,

And as they go, we're learning,

To, be both soft and strong.

To take laughter, fun and pleasure,

To take grief, sadness and tears,

And when we've had full measure,

Along come other fears.

This world can be so splendid,

But also hard and cruel,

And as one hurt is mended,

Along comes a renewal.

So take each day, and value it,

Once gone it can't return,

Just treasure every single bit,

And give each your concern.

Commentary:

Group Member: Mae Anne Mangaoil

This poem speaks about the different feelings and emotions that we experience in life:

laughter, sadness, grief and fear, and through all of these, we all learn and grow into a better

version of ourselves. The sufferings in our lives teach us to be strong, and learn to be patient,

perseverant, faithful, etc. while the joys make us more compassionate towards others. However,

regardless of where we are in life, on top of the wheel or at the bottom, we should always think

about how it has helped us be in the position that we are now, and to cherish each moment.

Moreover, the poem also has an ABAB rhyme scheme, an example of a quatrain, and uses

anaphora by repeating the word “to” in lines 4-6, to give emphasis on how different situations in

our lives make us feel and influence how we act.

Additionally, I chose this poem because the use of metaphor to describe life as a wheel

suggests that you will never stay in the same position forever ( top of the wheel- happiness,

bottom of the wheel-sadness), so you should learn to be in control of your life, and to make the

best of your situation, which is what our theme is all about. Additionally, it perfectly describes

the journey that Ms. Elaine took. From being at the bottom of the wheel as the decisions and

actions she took caused her to live a life of regrets, to being at the top of the wheel as her

courage, hope, and determination to live a normal life has caused her to join CFL and start anew.

6. “ The Wheel” by Vinda Karandikar

Someone is about to come but doesn't. Is about

to turn on the stairs but doesn't.

I button my shirt

come from the laundry with all its dazzling blots,

like one's peculiar fate.

I shut the door, sit quietly.

The fan begins to whirl

and turn the air into a whirlpool of fire,

making a noise bigger than the house.

Someone is about to come and doesn't.

It doesn't matter.

Calmly I lean against the wall,

become a wall.

A wounded bird on my shoulder laughs raucously,

laughs at the shoulder it perches on!

My soul of flesh and blood puts a long thread in the needle's eye.

I stitch a patch on my son's umbrella.

I pick his nose and name the pickings:

I call one "Elephant" and another "Lion."

Someone is about to come and doesn't. Is about

to turn on the stairs and doesn't.

I tickle my children,

they tickle me in turn; I laugh,

with a will; for I do not feel tickled.

 It doesn't matter.

I scan their fingers for signs:

Nine conches and one wheel.

Commentary:

Group member: Mae Anne Mangaoil

The poem suggests that we are in control of our lives, especially on how we choose to

react to events and situations that happen in our lives. In the poem, the speaker lived a miserable

life which was evident when he put on a shirt “ with all its dazzling blots,/ like one’s peculiar

fate,” which suggested that he was forced to live a life full of hardships which was evident by

the blots (4-5). Moreover, his situation was so miserable that even a wounded bird has it better,

which was evident in “ a wounded bird on my shoulder laughs raucously,/ laughs at the shoulder

it perches on! (14-15). However, instead of rising and conquering his sufferings, he decided to do

nothing and “become a wall” (13). Furthermore, throughout the poem, he was telling the readers

that he didn’t care about his miserable life; however, at the end of the poem, he “ ...scan[s] their

fingers for signs:/ nine conches and one wheel,” which suggested that he still looks for signs of a

happy life (26-27) either for himself or his children. Moreover, the nine conches and wheel is a

sign for a happy life in Indian palmistry (Rose 2018) .Overall, the poem is trying to convey that

even if one’s life is full of unhappiness, one should always believe that it will never remain this

way forever. Like the wheel, one will also stay on top, and it is a matter of how you approach the

situation. We are the driver of our own lives, and we should keep moving forward even when

things feel so hopeless because it’s going to get better. The journey will not be easy, but it will

be worth it. Like the theme of the project, we are in control of our own lives.
 There were also several poetic and literary devices that were used in the poem like

personification when the bird laughed (14), which emphasized the graveness of the speaker's

situation. There was also hyperbole in the line “ making noise bigger than the house” (9).

Zoomorphism was also used when the speaker decided to become like a wall and do nothing,

which shows a point where he became hopeless. Moreover, there were also several images that

were used like when he was putting on a shirt, the bird on his shoulders, the fire, and the events

with his children to show how his life has been and how he responded to different events in his

life. Moreover, all these devices helped make the readers learn about his situation, and to

emphasize that even when his life was very miserable, he always had a glimpse of hope that

things will be better. This is similar to the hope that all the women in Connections for Life have,

especially Ms. Elaine, who wants to be able to do what she always wanted and have a normal life

again.

7. “Tribute to Mother” by John Greenleaf Whittier

A picture memory brings to me;

I look across the years and see

Myself beside my mother’s knee.

I feel her gentle hand restrain

My selfish moods, and know again

A child’s blind sense of wrong and pain.

But wiser now, a man gray grown,

My childhood’s needs are better known.

My mother’s chastening love I own.

Commentary:

Group Member: Waleed Shammout

The poem above, written by John Greenleaf Whittier, Whittier reminisces of when he was

young. He is now an older man and can now see this past from a different point of view. He says

“I feel her gentle hand restrain My gentle moods, and know again A child’s blind sense of wrong

and pain” (4-6) to explain how as children we are ignorant to what is considered wrong and right.

We need our mothers to hold us even when we are being disobedient or causing trouble because

with this mother's love, we are learning how to be better humans. I chose this poem to go with

our theme of taking control because it shows a different aspect of taking that control. Generally

speaking, when we talk about taking control, we tend to give all the credit to one person when in

reality we are shaped by our role models. So even taking control of something has due credit to

the people who raised you to overcome whatever adversity you were going through. I found this

poem especially fitting for Elaine because she had a very special relationship with her mother.

Throughout the entire interview she gave credit to her mother for all the positive things she has

been doing to improve herself

8. “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible without surrender

be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly;

and listen to others,

even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,

they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain and bitter;

for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs;

for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals;

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love;

for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment

it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,

be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be,

and whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.
Commentary:

Group Member: Waleed Shammout

This poem written by Max Ehrmann is a prose poem giving advice to someone facing adversity.

He starts the poem by saying “Go placidly amid the noise and hate” (1) which sets the tone for

the rest of the poem in that you should go with confidence no matter the circumstances that

surround you. His use of stanzas was his way of organizing his thoughts to where each stanza is

giving a different set of advice. The first stanza is saying to keep an open mind to gain

knowledge and experience as evident by “And listen to others, Even the dull and ignorant; They

too have their stories” (6-8). The second and third stanzas give advice to stay around positive

people “Avoid loud and aggressive persons” (9) and those who you will not try to compare

yourself to “Keep interested in your own career” (13). Overall this poem fits in perfectly with

our theme of taking control as it is written to help someone facing a difficult time. As far as the

extended metaphor of driving, this would be Elaine relearning how to drive on the road of life

especially after crashing.

Epilogue ( by Mae Anne Mangaoil)

Through this project and the different poems that we discussed throughout the semester,

we learned how powerful poetry can be in not only making the readers see the world through the

poet’s eyes, but also becoming more aware of events, situations and issues faced by people in

various parts of the world. Because of this, poets play an important role as they use their talents

and skills to bear witness to events, circumstances and ideas that they feel need to be addressed

and learned by many people.

Furthermore, we learned that what sets poetry apart from other modes of communication

is its ability to convey messages as well as images, and emotions that the poet wants us to learn

and experience through the use of various poetic and literary devices. Additionally, what’s

unique about poetry is how the reader’s background, stage in life and even mood can affect his or

her interpretation of a certain word, line, stanza or the poem as whole. This shows how every

poem is unique to every individual and how it can impact readers in various ways. Moreover,

readers also take part in bearing witness by taking action and helping address the message

conveyed by the poet. Moreover, poetry is very powerful because of how it can be used to shed

light to various events and life happenings, how it can garner different responses and

interpretations from the readers, and most importantly, how it can move the readers to also bear

witness.
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www.connectionsforlife.net/about-connections-for-life-baton-rouge/.

Interestingliterature.com. (2019). Tribute to Mother – Interesting Literature.

https://interestingliterature.com/tag/tribute-to-mother/

Karandikar, Vinda. “The Wheel by Vinda Karandikar.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation,

Sept. 2007, www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/49803/the-wheel.

Kipling, Rudyard. “If-”. Academy of American Poets. https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/if—

Musk-Dukes, Carol. “No Hands.” Paris Review, Spring 2014.

https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/no-hands.

Northover, Ernestine. “The Wheels Of Life.” PoemHunter, 23 Feb. 2006,

www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-wheels-of-life/.

Owlcation. (2019). An Analysis of "Desiderata" (1927), a Prose Poem by Max Ehrmann.

https://owlcation.com/humanities/Analysis-of-Desiderata-a-Prose-Poem-by-Max-

Erhmann

Rose, Marianna. “Literary Analysis: The Wheel.” Diverse. Unite. Culture., 4 Dec. 2018,

diverseuniteculture.wordpress.com/2018/12/03/the-wheel/.

“Rudyard Kipling.” Poetry Foundation, Poetry Foundation 2007,

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/rudyard-kipling.