INTRO TO POETRY

"Everything is Going to be Alright" - Derek Mahon

What is the significance of the title?

The title is as straightforward as it can get in regards to the theme of the poem, in fact, it is the poem's theme. The central message of the poem lays within the theme of 'everything is going to be alright'.

What is the tone of the poem? 

The tone of the poem is happy, prosperous, and optimistic. (Put as simply possible)

What is your mood as you read it?

The mood the reader, or, I, get as I read the poem is one of motivation, hope, and even encouragement to never give up in life on the important "stuff" no matter how arduous circumstances may come to be.

Is there a Shift?  Where?  From what to what?

"Everything..." does include a shift from the negative and discouragement to one of hope and positivity, shedding light on the happy things in life rather than pondering on (what could be) the negative. This is indicated in the following lines from the poem:
"There will be dying, there will be dying,
but there is no need to go into that."

What is the theme of the poem?

See no. 1. The theme of the poem is that no matter how hard or awful life may be, everything will be okay, no need to worry so much; facing reality with a positive perspective. 

-Thinking about these questions made me realize that this poem is saying, "Who the hell is saying I can't be happy? S*** happens, we get over it. Life is beautiful- we move on."  (How should I not be glad to contemplate/the clouds clearing beyond the dormer window/and a high tide reflected on the ceiling?) The message of the poem is given right off the bat by reading the title alone, however, the poem itself moves one. These questions made me realize that even though a message/theme of a poem can be one that one has heard before and be rather simple, it can still move you in ways you didn't know it could. Poetry is a lot about style, how you convey the message, and Mohan conveyed the "Three Little Birds" message in a great way, even including the city life rather than making peace and happiness a purely field of green, endless garden of flowers situation. (I love L.A./Big buildings/Lights) Just pure goodness.