[SarahLynn55555]

I have to lead a class discussion on the poem "I Will Keep Broken Things" by Alice Walker. I'm just having trouble figuring out the symbols, the theme, figures of speech, tone, diction, and images of the poem.
Does anyone know of any websites that might help? Or have ideas of their own?
Anything will help!
Thanks :)

Here is the poem...

I will keep
Broken
Things:
The big clay
Pot
With raised
Iguanas
Chasing
Their
Tails;
Two
Of their
Wise
Heads
Sheared
Off;

I will keep
Broken
Things:
The old
Slave
Market
Basket
Brought
To my
Door
By Mississippi
A jagged
Hole
Gouged
In its sturdy
Dark
Oak
Side.

I will keep
Broken
Things:
The memory
Of
Those
Long
Delicious
Night
Swims
With
You;

I will keep
Broken
Things:
In my house
There
Remains
An
Honored
Shelf
On which
I will
Keep
Broken
Things.

Their beauty
Is
They
Need
Not
Ever
Be
“fixed.�

I will keep
Your
Wild
Free
Laughter
Though
It is now
Missing
Its
Reassuring
And
Graceful
Hinge.

I will keep
Broken
Things:

Thank you
So much

I will keep
Broken
Things.

I will keep
You:

Pilgrim
Of
Sorrow.

I will keep
Myself

[Wondergirl]

If you Google the name of the poem with the additional keyword "explain," you will find some information about it, including Alice Walker's own explanation of why she wrote it:

December – 2008 – Alice Walker |The Official Website for the American Novelist & Poet

Otherwise, go to your school or public library and talk with a reference librarian to obtain print and database sources to help you further.