GRAND CANYON Ani DiFranco essays

GRAND CANYON Ani DiFranco essays GRAND CANYON Ani DiFranco The poet feels a sense of gratitude and respect for certain ancestors who enabled her to have the rights that she enjoys as an American. This is revealed for example in the lines (stanzas one and five), I am indebted joyfully to all the people throughout its history who have fought the government to make right, and ...came through hell and high water so that we could stand here. At the same time, this demonstrates that she is troubled and disappointed in those ancestors who made it such a struggle for the rights of the people. The raging river of tears represents the struggle that the poets ancestors endured to arrive at the point that she enjoys today. The figure of speech is a metaphor. The grand canyon of light represents the rights that she enjoys and treasures in America. Light indicates the goodness and the freedoms that she enjoys. With the expression humility has buoyancy, Ani is saying that her own modesty and humbleness is uplifting for her at the times that she is struggling most, and most depressed in her own life. She believes in protecting and achieving those rights and freedoms for everyone in the world. The historical event she discusses is the 9-11 tragedy. She recalls the burning smell, the smoldering wreckage and red white and blue flashing lights, and finally, the hand you can trust laid steady on your chest. These appeal to the readers senses of smell, sight and touch and the views that many readers will recall from the television coverage of this sad event in U.S. history. The simile is bearing witness like a woman bears a child. What is born into the Grand Canyon of Light are the rights and freedoms and all the things that the poet sees as being good and of value in America. Just as a child comes from the pains and ...