Snow Precis

In the poem, "Snow," by David Berman, Berman uses similies to create a childish tone, looking bac on a memory of his, or a relatable character. Berman first uses a simile when he writes, "the ice looked like a photograph of water," thus creating the image of the cold day he had been playing around in. He then uses one last simile stating, "when it's snowing, the outdoors seem like a room," thus creating a sense of comfort in the outdoors as most children find nature fun and comfortable to play in.  By using these similes in his writing, Berman was able to create that childlike sense that he was looking for in his writing.

Driving to Ton Late to Mail a Letter Precis

In the poem, "Driving to Town Late to Mail a Letter, by Robert Bly, Bly uses imagery to create a satisfied tone with a straightforward message. In the poem, Bly first uses imagery saying, "cold and snowy night,"  thus recalling the night he was in town alone. He again uses imagery saying, "swirls of snow" and "cold iron." Though the night may not be ideal for another, Bly finds that he feels a sense of privacy and that he would probably stay out and "waste more time" in order to keep the privacy with him. By using imagery within his poem, Bly was able to convey a very straightforward message about how he feels traveling alone to town.

Hand Shadows Precis

In the poem, "Hand Shadows," by Mary Cornish, Cornish uses imagery to create a childish tone in her poem She uses imagery as a message about her past childhood, or an imaginary character's childhood.  Of the many times Cornish used imagery in her writing, there are few in particular that really bring back a childish sense. The first she uses is that her father "put his hands in the white light of the lantern," thus creating an image of a child and their father making shadow puppets together. Cornish then continues, "his palms became a horse that flicked its ears and bucked," again creating a childlike image in the reader's mind. Then lastly, she continues later on again, "my father's hands became two birds, linked by a thumb..." again creating that sense of childlike humor. By using imagery in her poem, Cornish was able to create a childlike poem for many to relate to.

Publication Date Precis

In the poem, "Publication Date," by Franz Wright, Wright uses metaphors to create a dreadful tone and a message all writers want their audience to know. The first metaphor that stood out to me was the line, "National I Hate Myself I Want to Die Day." This is a metaphor for the dread the publication date for the writer's works creates, while waiting for their work to come out. The next metaphor is, "the forecast in Boston calls for a cold night all morning and all afternoon. Once again, the author uses this metaphor to repeat the dread the authors go through waiting "all morning" and "all afternoon" for their works to be published. By using these simple metaphors in his poem, Wright was able to create a sense of dread within his work.

One Morning Precis

The poem, "One Morning," by Eamon Grennan, is a detailed, yet meaningful poem about Grennan's, or an imaginary character's morning. The poet is able to set a somewhat negative tone, yet the character seems to see the good in life after having few sad events take place through the imagery the poet uses. The poet uses words such as "rotting by the timeline" and "savage valediction" to describe the dead otter he had found that day, creating a  small sense of negativity put on the character's life.  The poet also writes in one line, "this was the morning after your dream of dying," creating yet another sense of negativity in he character's life, followed by detailed descriptions of what the character thought was comforting. Things such  as a couple sitting in their camper smoking, as well as the peace he felt with the sun coming off the water. By using imagery, Grennan was able to create a negative, but peaceful poem.

Before She Died Precis

The poem, "Before She Died," by Karen Chase, is a poem about dying with a depressed tone. The poet uses one single simile in the poem, but the simile is what helps create a powerful image of understanding. Chase writes about her dying friend, possibly a lover, explaining to them she has began to slow down in life and look at all the small things. The simile is stated in the very last line saying, "like a dog's lifetime--long--multiplied by sevens."  She writes this hoping to create the powerful image of appreciation for life. To ask of her audience to take a minute and slow down because you never know what could happen to yourself, or your loved one, and you would want their life to be lengthened so you could appreciate every moment with them. By using the simile in her poem, Chase was able to create a depressing, but appreciating poem in a deep and meaningful way.