In Memory of My Father

In Memory of My Father

1. Poetic Devices:

   • Imagery: The poet uses the image of harvest to indicate the nature and time of his fathers death. 'When he had fallen in love with death, one time when sheaves were gathered.'
   • Language: The language is simple and direct.
   • Tone: The tone is gentle and reflective and there is no evidence of raw pain in the poem. Rather the poet is reflecting on his experiences in order to come to terms with his fathers death.
   • Repetition: The phrase 'Every old man I see,' is repeated to emphasise the fact that the poet is constantly reminded of his father. The poem begins and ends inthe same place.
   • Enjambment: The first stanza has run on lines. The movement of the lines reflects the fathers movement towards death.