Second Set Of Anthology Poems

The title is ironic as there isn't much "living space" in the slums of Mumbai.

The enjambment of the poem reflects how the structures lean over and are on top of each other and the central stanza is "squeezed" in to reflect how living spaces are "squeezed" into small gaps.

Language such as "crookedly", "clutch" and "leans dangerously" suggests it is unsafe.

The image of the "eggs" shows ordinary objects make the slums feel like home and also reflect the fragility of life.

In the final lines, "thin walls of faith" suggests the existence of these living spaces is a miracle and implies they still have "faith" even in difficult conditions.

In context, Imtiaz Dharker was born in Pakistan but raised in Scotland and she has an interest in representing a different culture.

The title and the first line "As imperceptibly as Grief" links the idea of grief to the passing of summer.

The tone is melancholic - "Twilight long begun" suggests that grief is overtaking her happiness.

The images of the end of a day/season such as "dusk", "twilight" and "Summer lapsed away" suggest the passing of time and life.

In the final lines, "Summer made her light escape into the Beautiful" suggests the passage of time is inevitable but will end in something more positive - possibly a release into heaven.

The tone of the final words is more hopeful than the rest of the poem.

Word Definitions:

Imperceptible - slight/subtle - hardly noticeable.

Lapsed - not valid / expired / out of time

Perfidy - being deceitful and untrustworthy

Distilled - heated to extract something

Sequestered - isolated / hidden away

Courteous - polite and respectful

Harrowing - really distressing

In context, Emily Dickinson lived in Massachusetts, USA, 1830-86. She was recluse so did not leave the house often. Before she wrote this poem several family members an friends had died.

The poem is in first person and could be autobiographical - "I could pick anything and think of you".

Uses a cliche ironically - "the chain mail glinting" and has a dreamy tone but is affectionate and humorous. 

It is a love poem filled with day to day details such as "compact disks" and "faxes" which shows it is about the realities of relationships, not "the divine". 

The hurricane "Big Bad Floyd" has allowed her to daydream about the "worthless" boys of her past. 

In the final lines, "I fill this stolen time with you" suggests their relationship is happy and appreciated and the tone is reflective and thoughtful. Being content is better than great romance - it is consistent.

In context, it is set against the arrival of Hurricane Floyd, a powerful storm which hit the east coast of the USA in 1999. 

Rita Dove is American and married to the writer Fred Viebahn (probably the "Fred" in the poem).

The title suggests a typical love poem but the opening line "Not a red rose or a satin heart" suggests the poet flouts traditional images of love. 

The poem is written in first person, "I give you an onion" immediately debunking the idea of a traditional gift. 

The idea of love isn't elevated or refined as "a wobbling photo of grief" suggests love can be painful and our emotions can overwhelm us. 

Language such as "blind", "fierce" and "possessive" suggests an intensity to love that will only last as long as they are true to each other. "If you like" implies the intensity of love isn't dependant on a wedding ring. 

In the final lines - "cling to your life" suggests love can be dangerous and all consuming. The slightly sinister tone suggests an obsessive side to love.

In context, Duffy likes to break conventions and in Valentine she is criticising society's views of being materialistic. Duffy's poetry is often feminist in its themes and approach.

The poem is structured in two halves "The Tragedy" and "The Irony" showing it is like chapters in a tragic story. The two halves could suggest her life has been split into two.

The language is ominous, indicating darkness and tragedy - "tawny vapour", "webby fold" and "waning taper". Her whole world is covered in gloom. 

"He - has fallen" is a euphemism to shield the widow from the harsh truth but the dashes represent her grief an inability to process the news of her husband's death.

Pathetic fallacy of the "fog hangs thicker" shows her grief is settling in.

In the final lines, "new love that they would learn" shows the irony that he was looking forward to their new life together. It heightens the tragedy and heartbreak of his death because they will never be together and rekindle their relationship.

In context, Thomas Hardy was a novelist - so was a storyteller. The poem is probably related to the Boer War but the fact she is "a" wife reflects the tragedy of how many lives were lost during many years.