Evan's Poetry Assignment

"To A Friend" by Alexisonfire

*It's important to know there are different vocals in this song. The lyrics in italics are coarse and loud (screaming essentially) and the others are from Dallas Green.. No more need be said.*

I'm thinking that it's time to get out
My patients are fading fast
The mind bruises just a little bit easier
In dark times and shadow's cast

What are you suffering for?
Your pride or some kind of personal war?
And will you throw it away
For nothing more than a simple taste?

I stay in time and watch you pass by (paranoia woven deep beneath my skin)
And I draw this line and hope you'll take my side (breathe slow, breathe slow)
You shouldn't have to fight alone (you shouldn't have to fight at all)
It's nobody's battle but your own

Panic holds me like a gun
Firm and steadfast, bleak and cold
I think it's time to kill the drama
This life style's getting old

Whispers behind closed doors
Eyes spy from dark windows
Plotting minds that seek to harm me,
Or maybe not, I don't really know

There is something
Waiting for me
In the darkest part of my imagination

I stay in time and watch you pass by (paranoia woven deep beneath my skin)
And I draw this line and hope you'll take my side (breathe slow, breathe slow)
You shouldn't have to fight alone (you shouldn't have to fight at all)
It's nobody's battle but your own

This is just self-induced terror
There's more to come, this is just a glimpse
I tell myself it's all in my head
But I'm pretty hard to convince

Oh, there's no relief
Oh, this world can offer
Oh, there's no relief
Oh, this world can offer me

I stay in time and watch you pass by
I draw this line and hope you'll take my side
You shouldn't have to fight alone
It's nobody's battle but your own

Thesis: The lyricists use mood, comparisons, and the use of a dialogic relationship to convey their thoughts on a personal issue through song (lyric) based poetry.
 1. You may have noticed either set of vocals has a certain tone to it. Why do you think different tones were used? What do you feel each tone symbolizes in terms of emotions, views, or attitudes?
2. Which verse do you think stands out and which do you think sums the song up as a whole? (both in regards to imagery and mood)
3. The second line of the song is "My patients are fading fast". What do you suppose this means?
4. Do you notice a difference in the chorus from the rest of the song? How and why do you think the lyricists did this?
5. If you thought of this as an argument or discussion, what do you think they'd be talking  about?
6. After thinking about the general theme this song delivers, could it still be delivered as effectively with only one singer instead of two very different singers? Could it be as effective in another form of poetry?