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===‍This poem is written in [|free verse,] allowing the author to express thoughts without being limited to word choice, a contrast from [|rhyming poetry].=== ===‍The second stanza of the poem states “a river would stop its flow if only a stream were there to receive it.” A river normally flows into a larger body of water, such as an ocean or a larger river. The poem suggests that if a smaller waterway such as a stream were at the receiving end, the river would have to stop flowing and dry up because there would be nowhere for the water to go.=== ===‍The poem uses personification. In the third stanza, “an ocean would never laugh if clouds weren’t there to kiss her tears,” the ocean is personified as a female who is crying and is being kissed by the clouds. This personification emphasizes the idea that people need to give and receive love.=== ===‍In addition to personifying parts of nature, the poem includes[| repetition]. The fourth stanza, “the world is not a pleasant place to be without someone” is repetitious of the first stanza but omits “to hold and be held by.” This omission suggests that finding love is the best way to improve one’s world.=== ===‍The images of the river and ocean help develop the poem’s[| theme], which is that if a person does not have someone to love, his or her love will dry up, like a river that has nowhere to deposit its water. This theme serves as a guide to the reader on how to live his or her life, reminding the reader at some times, he/she needs to give support and love to others, while at other times he/she may need to receive others’ support and love.=== ||
 * || Additional Resources
 * Giovanni's Poetry
 * More Poems
 * Discussion Board || **“The World is Not A Pleasant Place to Be” (poem on page 578 in textbook)**
 * What single thing makes your world a pleasant place to be? You might answer that question quickly, thinking of activities or hobbies that you really enjoy. In the poem “The World Is Not a Pleasant Place to Be” by Nikki Giovanni, the answer is deeper. The single most important thing is someone.**