"Why am I so Brown?" by Trinidad Sanchez, Jr.

In Bless Me, Ultima, Antonio struggles with fitting in at school because of his cultural heritage (pg. 58-59).  Consider the "tristesa de la vida" that he feels.  What is this sadness and why does it exist?


Read the poem "Why am I so Brown?" by Trinidad Sanchez, Jr.  Think about how our cultural identity shapes who we are and how we interact in society.  Examine the pride and connection of an individual with culture in the poem.  Leave a post that analyzes the poems themes and use of diction to convey a message about heritage and how it interacts with society.

L'Envoi by Rudyard Kipling


After you finish reading the poem, post one question, comment, or observation.  This can include meaning, theme, modern interpretations, or connections to Bless Me, Ultima.  Your post must be made by 7:00 am on Tuesday.

L'ENVOI

By: Rudyard Kipling (1919)

[To whom it may concern]

The smoke upon your Altar dies,

The flowers decay,

The Goddess of your sacrifice

Has flown away.

What profit then to sing or slay

The sacrifice from day to day?

"We know the Shrine is void," they said,

"The Goddess flown—

"Yet wreaths are on the altar laid—

"The Altar-Stone

"Is black with fumes of sacrifice,

"Albeit She has fled our eyes.

"For, it may be, if still we sing

"And tend the Shrine,

"Some Deity on wandering wing

"May there incline;

"And, finding all in order meet,

"Stay while we worship at Her feet."