Dana Levine -- Week 11 -- Pick a Poet -- Clint Smith

     This week I chose the poem “The Drone” by Clint Smith. This poem begins by talking about a drone and the “birth” of a drone. It started out as a piece of metal. It could’ve become anything, but decided to become a drone. Then, the drone got a purpose on earth. It’s purpose was to kill people. Out of anything it could’ve been, it became a killing machine. It camouflaged in the air with the sky and was mistaken for the stars, and wondered what it would do next. The drone did not see boundaries because it was able to fly over any boundary that was created. So, the drone was boundless and free. In the end, it says, “the drone was built by a man. The drone killed a man & a woman & a child. the drone killed a child & did not see her face. the drone does not see a face the drone sees a body & then the body is gone.”

    This poem is very symbolic of many things in our lives. It is symbolic of fame, because no matter how famous you become, you should never forget the people who got you there. It is symbolic of family and parenting, because you should always be humble, remembering that your parents created you into who you are and gave you your morals; you should use those to guide you in life and don’t stray from your path. There are many more symbols, but the last one that I want to bring up is that it is a symbol of the universe/religion--whatever you believe in. We, as humans, were created by G-d, or whatever higher power you believe in. We cannot forget that. We need to always humble ourselves by reminding ourselves that we are only a small portion of creation. We keep our humility by praying if you believe in a G-d or by solely thanking the universe for what it has given you. We not only directly thank our higher power, but we also pay back in doing good deeds for others. I believe in karma and think that we have to always stay humble and give back expecting nothing in return because the universe/G-d will take care of everything for us.