Cheerleading Poem Analysis

The sport of cheerleading can be deceiving. An outsider will never see the hard work, fortitude, and commitment that is implemented throughout the year for one two minute and thirty second routine performance. In analyzing these poems, the themes and tones show the similarities and differences in these poems. In this case, poetry is a true window of understanding. Through poetry, one can more deeply understand the world of cheerleading. Throughout the three poems analyzed there is a reoccurring theme of time. In the poem “2:30” the unknown author draws attention to the subject of time by putting the length of a cheerleading performance as the title. This attention allows the reader to immediately see the significant difficulty of the timed …show more content…
In the poem “Cheerleading” there is a clear idea of fortitude and pride portrayed. In the poem, CheerPoet writes, “We get hurt, we get injured/ We get broken, we get limbered/ But we constantly come back” (CheerPoet lines 5-7) to depict the resilience that cheerleaders have. These lines make outsiders aware of the dedication and perseverance that cheerleaders obtain. It shows the fortitude required when they are knocked down. The theme in “Cheerleading” runs parallel to the topic of the poem “Two Minutes and Thirty Seconds” since both have a sense of overcoming adversities. This theme becomes apparent at the beginning of “Two Minutes and Thirty Seconds” when the author, Stephanie, compares competitive cheerleading to “a dream, a quest, a challenge” (Stephanie line 3). Stephanie later in the poem writes, “your dreams become a quest/ your quest becomes a challenge/ and winning becomes a reality” (Stephanie lines 22-24) to represent the commitment cheerleaders have throughout the year to ultimately make winning a reality. Although the poem “2:30” does not have a strong emphasis on fortitude, the theme of the poem is still one of pride and accomplishment. The unknown author of this poem makes the theme evident when the poem states, “performing with my team is the best part/ with a great routine but very complex/ giving it our all as we’re almost through” (2:30 …show more content…
The poems “2:30” and “Cheerleading” are written in first person point of view, and the speakers of both poems are cheerleaders giving the reader an insider perspective. Both of these poems use the pronoun “I” multiple times throughout their literary works. Although cheerleaders wrote both of these poems, each of the poems discuss and focus on different aspects of the sport. It is interesting for the reader to view two separate opinions within the same perspective of the sport and what one may find to be more important than the other. The poem “2:30” takes the reader through what competition is like, allowing the reader to feel as though they are experiencing it as well. One may feel like they are there by the unknown author’s description of the atmosphere of competition when she states, “The crowd happy, excited, & screaming/ arena dark but one light on the teams” (2:30 lines 1-2). On the other hand, in the poem “Cheerleading” the author took a broader approach with the content of the poem. CheerPoet, the author, mentions injuries, stereotypes, and competition throughout her poem. The author indicates these labels associated with stereotyping when she states, “I am NOT a Hobby. / Skirts short, bows high” (CheerPoet lines 16-17) to give a glimpse of the ridicule cheerleaders face when it comes to their sport. People are quick to say