
Every human is worth something is the message Anis Mojgani tells the reader in the poem “Shake the Dust”. Mojgani is a poet born in New Orleans who went to college in Georgia and now lives in Oregon. His poetry is energetic and passionate about diversity and stereotypes. “Shake the Dust “is a great example of this. Mojgani uses tone, language, and pattern in “Shake the Dust” to show the purpose of this piece. 

    “Shake the Dust” is a poem intended to reach all people that are overlooked and struggling. Mojgani calls out groups of people by name. He addresses the common people for example; fat girls, little brothers, school yard bullies, ball players, former prom queens, bikers and the list goes on. This is a very diverse group but they all have one thing in common that they need encouragement. The reader, whoever they are, can relate to one of the groups he is addressing.

     Mojgani uses anaphora’s many times throughout the poem. He repeats the phrase “this is for” ten times and the phrase “shake the dust” is used multiple times. By repeating these words he is emphasizing how important these people are and how much they are worth. Mojgani keeps reminding the audience to shake the dust. The phrase means to let go of the struggles people are holding on too. He is talking to every single person that does not want to keep going. Shake the dust can also mean to be different and to never forget that every single person, even the “two year olds/ who cannot be understood because they speak half English and have God” are special and have a purpose (14-15). This phrase is used to separate stanzas, so it makes the audience have to think about what Mojgani just said and how it relates to them. The phrase could also mean to not settle into an ordinary life. There is also repetition when Mojgani uses the phrase “this is for the…” when Mojgani is talking to an individualize person. This use is special because the poet is trying to personalize the poem. The poet wants everyone to be accounted for, and is reaching out to every person in society. This also shows that Mojgani is trying to break away from stereotyping, a major theme in this poem.  Mojgani rallying cry of “shake the dust” is intended to reach a wide ranging audience all of whom, without realizing, share similar struggles and limitations.  The poet uses repetition as a way of showing that he wants the audience to pay attention to his message and realize that he is trying to reach out to everyone. Mojgani wants us to break free or “shake the dust.”

The theme of this poem is to make sure to put meaning in life and not hold back. Mojgani stresses to these many groups of people who fall into the same stereotypes that they should not be limited by what society thinks of them. The poet stresses how every person has a limitation to move on from. This poem is the first step in the journey of going beyond these limitations.  Mojgani uses many literary devices in this poem. The first one appears in the title itself, “Shake the Dust.” This phrase is a metaphor and means not to settle for things in life, and to find new experiences and adventures. This could also mean to move past whatever baggage the person is holding on too. Mojgani uses a simile, “not just some poem like just another night that sits heavy above us all” meaning that this poem should not be one that is read and forgotten, but one that should be appreciated and pondered upon (64). Mojgani compares this phrase to a boring night at home that no one will remember. The phrase tells the audience to go out and experience life. An allusion is used in the lines where Mojgani is talking about the television show Leave it to Beaver in the 1950s. Mojgani indirectly talks about “those families that will never be like the Cleavers, with perfectly made dinners, and sons like Wally and the Beaver” which means that Mojgani was speaking to those people that do not have that perfect suburban life (41-42). A hyperbole is used in the phrase, “for the bus drivers who drive a million broken hymns” because clearly this is not meant to be taken literally (9). This could mean that Mojgani is talking about a bus driver who drives so many people that are broken, and that this poem is for them. 

Mojgani’s tone makes this poem more powerful.  He states “every time, every time I open my eyes I’m cutting out a parts of myself simply to hand them over to you” and this makes the reader feels his seriousness and even self-sacrificing in expressing his feelings (29). The ending of the poem is Mojgani’s last piece of advice to the audience, to finally open the door “and run forward and far into its widespread, greeting arms” (71). These are Mojgani’s final words to not take life for granted and to move on. 

“Shake the Dust” touches everyone in the world. Mojgani wants to speak to every type of person and go beyond stereotyping. Mojgani does this by using repetition of “shake the dust” and “this is for the” so that the audiences realize what is important, and go beyond the past. The poet uses these phrases to stress that this poem is for everyone, and that each person can be more than they are now. Mojgani touches every person in the audience and by listening to the tone of his voice one can tell that he truly believes what is being said. The poet uses very descriptive language to make the audience understand what they are reading. Mojgani uses metaphors, similes, a hyperbole, and many more literary references to make the poem more relatable. Each person can take “shake the dust” and put it to their own life. This poem diminishes stereotyping and helps the audience overcome limitations. Society today is very judgmental and hard to be yourself. Mojgani uses this poem as a way to tell society to not care what others think, and to “shake the dust.”
