Pessimist By Kim Lasdun: Poem Analysis

Adversity on the human spirit can be difficult situation arise almost daily in the lives of most individuals. When confronted with adversity, individuals are forced to deal with the circumstances in the best way they know how. People can reach a point where they can no longer deal in the human spiritual way in their lives. It is at this point that individuals have to make a choice, either to allow themselves to be devastated, or to rise above their difficulties, and allow their true spirit to return to them. The poem “Pessimist” by James Lasdun, the speaker reflects on how despite adversity, one can remain optimistic, even though the individual thinks pessimistic there will always be happiness. In the autobiographical novel, Ru by Kim Thuy …show more content…
I decided to volunteer at the local food bank. Over the summer, I wasn’t really doing anything, although I had been waiting for an email from the Food Bank letting me know when I was assigned to volunteer. Not until July did I start to realize that I was wasting time and I knew I had to sign up to volunteer again to let them know I was really serious. Two days later I got an email. I was scared and didn’t know what to expect since it was my first time ever to volunteer anywhere. I decided to just get this over with and get it done easily. All we had to do was get empty banana boxes and sort the food and pack them in a pallet. Simple, nothing hard just follow the rules. At first I didn’t know which goes where and since I was quiet I just watched what the others did. The next day it was the same thing, but this time even more people showed up. They would try talking to me but all I did was smile, until I knew I had to start talking more knowing this would be the perfect way for me to get involved in more activities on my own. I began to talk to this student who went to the same school as me, but all of a sudden she stopped volunteering, even though she had told me she was going to keep going until summer was over. So again I felt alone; I started to pay attention more to helping and getting the work done on my own. Every day there would be different groups and individuals helping out and would look confused about what to sort in what pallet. Not until they saw me doing everything quick so they start asking me questions and in that point I started having conversations and having a great time. A couple of reoccurring volunteers would pair up with me to work together and it really felt like I had another family. I loved to volunteer and help out since we would get things were done and when our time came to finish I would stay and help with my partners. Although my ten-year-old sister is quieter than I am, I knew she