Life itself is a great mystery. The great chemistry that exists in everything intrigues me. I personally, really enjoy reading Margaret Avison's Poems. You could say they're sort of like a mystery to me. This is because poems are similar to puzzles in such a way that you'll have to figure out the meaning of each word itself; why each word is place where they're placed; and the overall effect and message Avison is trying to convey to her readers. As I was re-reading “Cement Worker on a Hot Day”, I was trying to pick out some clues that would lead me to the bigger picture Avison was trying to paint. The first stanza is about how ordinary the “yellow hydrant” is: it is “just a knob shape”. I like how she separates “just a knob” and “shape” and places them on separate lines. It helps to create that ordinary feel for the objects that we see but don’t take the time to notice the details. The next two stanzas quickly step pass the everyday standing hydrant by bringing it into the spotlight by showing what it does best. The hydrant provides an abundant amount of life’s necessity: water. It is interesting to note that the third stanza is not aligned with the other stanzas in the poem. It gives an effect of water “gush[ing]” out of the hydrant. I think she is trying to tell us to take more notice to the objects that we pass by everyday. In the context of Chemistry, it’s like these objects have potential energy (stored energy) and that if we have the time to take notice, we can recognize the other forms of energy it can potentially change into.

Creativity in Writing

Personally, I think that Douglas Coupland is a genius. Not only was Hey Nostradamus! interesting, it was also extremely intriguing. As soon as I started reading this book, I had difficulties putting it down. For me, the most amazing part of this book is the front cover itself. After reading Hey Nostradamus! the significance of the title becomes evident. In fact, the entirety of the novel is summed up in the picture on the front cover. This is really what makes a good artist what they are. The front cover shows Couplands vast imagination. I never even realized the significance of the picture until it was brought up in lecture. Having a symbol of someone praying on their knees shows submission, certainty and faith. However, if you were to turn the book upside down, you will see that the symbol becomes a question mark. The question mark represents doubt and uncertainty. This shows that things aren’t always as they seem and that if you look at something perhaps from a different perspective you may be surprised. This play on the symbol is similar to Margret Avison’s play on words. As I have mentioned in my blog on poerty, Avison wrote the poem CNR London to Toronto which when read sounds like a train. I am just amazed at the level of creativity that these authors have. It’s incredible. The talent of these two authors is just breathtaking. It definitely makes me wish that I were more creative!

Religion & Suffering

Hey Nostradamus, is almost portrayed as a juxtaposition of religion and suffering. Often people undergoing any suffering shall turn to God for solace and become very religious in a bid to alleviate at least some of the pain from suffering. Contrary to this belief, others shall question the existence of God and his loving nature when they suffer and fail to believe in God.
Cheryl, converted while she was alive but now as she narrates while dead, she questions her beliefs and the existence of God. Jason on the other hand was a staunch believer while alive with Cheryl but after his experiences after her death, he does not make an earnest effort to talk and walk the path of righteousness.
The book touches on suffering on an emotional and psychological basis. Religion is all about belief and there is not really anything physical to prove religion, therefore, causing the reader to be at odds on religion and suffering.