Stealing Poem

Structure

-cyclical structure-begins and ends with a question

-irregular rhyme scheme, follows rhythm of speaking voice

-sometime assonance/chimes between words (mute, moon, mate, mind)

-alliteration contrasts with short sentences and destructiveness of poem

Language

-alliteration of m (midnight, mute, moon, mate) suggests he's passionate about the snowman

-'slice of ice'-knows he's disturbed, internal rhyme, suggests he's emotionally frozen

-'better off dead that giving in'-moral confusion, thinks he's being courageous when in reality he is selfish

-'life's tough'-cliche, offhand comment. Perhaps he steals because his life has been tough

-'part of the thrill was knowing that children would cry…