Question

The Junior Detective

Marie Devers

Here’s a quick biography of how I came to be, 1
the junior lead detective who researches fearlessly. 2

The probability, I find, is just as good as coincidence 3
that I’ll find some hidden mystery by watching some events. 4

This vocation, fair and true, I stumbled on one day, 5
and the verdict was that I’d pursue each fact that comes my way.6

When I find a question that requires investigation,7
I pull out all the stops and start my thorough speculation.8

I believe in accuracy, and truth for all involved, 9
and always staying neutral ‘til the case is all but solved.10

Each occurrence that I witness is a clue to ponder ever—11
‘til I take the case and make it my own personal endeavor.12

I interview each villain, and I never give an inch. 13
I notice all the ticks, and I explore each blink and flinch.14

I ensure each alibi is honest; I check each testimony, 15
and I find the real exception and expose it from the phony.16
Question


"Eavesdropping"

A Haiku by John Devine


The chill wind whispered
Softly to weeping willows.
But what did he say?

Read the two poems. How are they similar? How are they different? Focus on the characteristics of the two poems and the purposes of the two authors. Quote each poem in your response.

Answer 1

The two poems "The Junior Detective" by Marie Devers and "Eavesdropping" by John Devine are both written in different forms of poetry and have different subjects, but both poems share some similarities in terms of style and purpose.

The poem "The Junior Detective" is written in rhyming verse and is a biography of the speaker's profession as a detective. The poem describes the speaker's dedication to accuracy, truth, and impartiality in her work, and her commitment to solving cases. The purpose of the poem is to highlight the qualities and skills of a detective and to show the speaker's passion for her work.

"The chill wind whispered / Softly to weeping willows. / But what did he say?" is a haiku written by John Devine. The poem is a short, three-line poem that focuses on a specific moment in time, in this case, the sound of the wind and the idea of eavesdropping. The purpose of the poem is to create a mood or atmosphere and to evoke an emotional response in the reader.

Both poems share a focus on the power of observation and the importance of paying attention to details. The junior detective in "The Junior Detective" is described as noticing "all the ticks, and exploring each blink and flinch", while the haiku "Eavesdropping" focuses on the wind "whispered" to the willows, implying that something important is being said or overheard.

In conclusion, the two poems are similar in that they both focus on observation and attention to detail, but they are different in form, subject, and purpose. "The Junior Detective" is a rhyming verse that focuses on the speaker's profession as a detective, while "Eavesdropping" is a haiku that creates a mood and evokes an emotional response in the reader.