Describe the effect of the main poetic devices used in the poem.
There are several poetic devices used in the poem which create poetic effects. They Include metaphor for comparison, repetition for sound effects and harmony as well as alliteration.
Stanza one of the poem is metaphoric. The panic of growing older spreads fluttering wings from year to year. Old age has been compared with birds that flutter from year to year. Other metaphors include copybook bisected”, “Hope not a grain of sand”, “Blades of expectations” etc. These comparisons are strong and effective in the overall diction of the poem. The sound effect of the poem gains prominence through a combination of alliterations and repetitions for emphasis. The alliterations include, “fluttering…from” “year…year”, “book bisected”, “twice…three…ten” etc. The alliterations create a melody. The repetitions include, “At”, “hope” “year”, “show”, “nothing” and “world” etc. The effect is realized through its emphasis. These devices combine to make the poem a masterpiece. The diction is very simple and direct as the subject matter is not difficult to realize.