Leaving the Motel
W. D. Snodgrass (b. 1926)
Outside, the last kids holler
Near the pool: they'll stay the night.
Pick up the towels; fold your collar
Out of sight.
Check: is the second bed
Unrumpled, as agreed?
Landlords have to think ahead
In case of need,
Too. Keep things straight: don't take
The matches, the wrong keyrings—
We've nowhere we could keep a keepsake—
Ashtrays, combs, things
That sooner or later others
Would accidentally find.
Check: take nothing of one another's
And leave behind
Your license number only,
Which they won't care to trace;
We've paid. Still, should such things get lonely,
Leave in their vase
An aspirin to preserve
Our lilacs, the wayside flowers
We've gathered and must leave to serve
A few more hours;
That's all. We can't tell when
We'll come back, can't press claims;
We would no doubt have other rooms then,
Or other names.
This assignment will have 3 core requirements all in seperate documents please read instructions carefully
Read the poem "Leaving the Motel" by W.D. Snodgrass (see attached), then complete the following:
1. Write a paragraph (100-150 words), discuss the theme and literary elements that have captured your interest.
2. Annotated Bibliography (1-2 page), in the SCF literature databases, you will find two secondary sources, works featuring W.D. Snodgrass and his work. Then, using the SCF databases to compile a two-item annotated bibliography. Sources must be from SCF Library just go to https://libguides.scf.edu/home - and type the authors name in the search bar.
3. Essay Assignment,
For the subject of your essay, you will write about the literary terms you described in step 1 and 2. Paper must be minimum
3 pages with 3 sources (2 from annotated bibliography, and 3rd from the poem itself.)
Please have these 3 steps in separate documents and contact me with any questions.