A Friend Found in Music

Before you read: do you prefer songs (vocal) or instrumental music? When do you reach for music: when you're happy, or when you're sad?

Read the poem in your book on page 194, by Bryanna T. Perkins. In twelve short lines, the speaker names what music is to her:

• an ocean that pulls her to the shore: towards safety, like a wave bringing you in;
• a rhythm that moves her to the core (deep inside), like a heartbeat;
• therapy when she feels blue (sad);
• something that lifts her spirits so she pulls through (gets through hard times).

In happy times too. When she is most cheerful, music has been there. It is the friend she needs when no one seems to care.

Metaphor to simile. These are metaphors (music is a friend). As similes: music is like a friend; music is as soothing as therapy.

Sound and voice. The rhyme scheme is ABCB (shore/core, blue/through, there/care), giving a song-like flow. Repeating music keeps it at the centre, giving it a new role each time. The first person (I, me, my) gives a personal voice. The mood is thoughtful; the message: music comforts and heals.