ENGISH FOR ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES

WEEK 4
PERFROMANCE TASK NO. 4

Be guided by the rubric that follows.

 Dead Stars (for Paz Marquez Benitez)
By H.O. Santos
(Critique Paper)
Dead Stars is a poem written by Bienvenido N. Santos about regretting a lost love that didn't end yet
couldn't begin. The poem was composed in 2010 and is a lyric and idiom style poetry with three stanzas that rhyme
in different ways. The first stanza has an A-B-C-D format, the second has an E-F-G-F format, and the third has an H-
I-H-I format. The poem provides an indirect message about a girl with whom the author is in love, full with symbols
and feelings. Paz Marquez Benitez's short story was the inspiration for the poem.

The poem is written in lyric form with a mellow meter. The meter runs quietly, and the final words for each
line continuously complement one other, despite the fact that each stanza has a distinct rhyme scheme. Even while
the author never stated that this sentence - "If I still think of her today, why didn't I tell her long ago?" - was about his
feelings for a lady, it was extremely clear. Throughout the poem, the author makes no mention of his affection for the
poem's receiver. Metaphors are used extensively throughout the poem, from the title to the content. With the title
Dead Stars and the mention of Venus and Mars, the poem itself conjures up images of stars and the universe. The
planets mentioned in the line "And worsti pped Venus instead of Mars" represent both love and power. Mars
represents masculinity and power, while venues reflect love. Even though these symbols have a lot of meaning and
contribute a lot to the poem's message, it's unlikely that most readers will have trouble understanding them. Difficult
and old words like sans and woe present on the final verse wouldn't be easy to comprehend especially for young
readers, and that would ruin the authenticity of the experience because then readers will have to search for the
meaning of the words first.

The poetry or narrative has an impact on the reader's life and decision-making. Encourage readers to
express their feelings before it's too late and to cherish the little things in life. The “DEAD STAR” represents things
that are present but unspoken or left behind. This poem is recommended for young readers as well as individuals
who find it difficult to express their feelings or preferences to others. It will inspire the audience to express and tell
someone they love them, as well as persuade them that having strength and courage when loving someone is
important; it is not good to hold on to such feelings till you regret it later.