Before you were mine

written by caroll anne duffy 

when the girl and mother both retrospective to the mothers life before she became a mother 

Written in 4 equal stanzas 

with a triad of verbs "sparkle and waltz and laugh"

"you sparkle waltz and laugh"

references to her mother as positive connotations bright and happy

"maraliyn"refers to mum like maraliyn monroe a world renound and glamarous person 

Contrast occurs between her mothers life as a carefree teenager and then a mum 

assumes the mums life was better before her arrival

"im not here yet"

fun ends when she arrives 

The poet deploys a great deal of glittering light to evoke exitement of a carefree teenager existence the balroom"fizes"

"i remeber my hands in those red high heeled shoes"

wistfully dwelling on the poets own memories