Walking Away

This poem is written by Cecil Day-Lewis, and is dedicated to his first son, Sean. It explores the difficulties a parent faces when giving their child the freedom to make their own mistakes, but also shows that true love is shown with acceptance.

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Language

Painful verbs such as "wrenched" convey that the action is painful.

Pathetic fallacy of 'the leaves just turning'; seasons changing represent new beginnings.

The adjective 'half-fledged' is a natural image; shows how the father fears that his son is not yet ready to be released into the world; conveys how he is still holding onto him.

Constant use of natural imagery stresses that growing up is a natural…