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2/14/2019
English 9, B
Poetry Analysis
I am Offering this Poem by Jimmy Santiago Baca is a poem that describes the
overcoming of the sense of security when the rest of the world is a cold and dark place. The
poem is told in the first person, written addressed to an unknownthe reader, letting them know
that all there is to give is love, and although at times might not seem enough, it is all that is
needed to feel safe. The central theme that the author Jimmy Santiago Baca develops is the sense
of feeling warmth and safety provided by a loved one. This is shown by the uses of rhyme
scheme, metaphor and similes, imagery. Using rhyme scheme, metaphors and similes, and
The use of rhyme scheme in this poem is very minimal and is not present till until the last
stanza. The lack of rhyming in the first three stanzas of the poem represents the insecurity of
thewhom this poem was addressed to person the poem is being read to. The Llack of security
links to the poetic devise because a non-rhyming poem has less of a strictly confined structure
and helps the reader understand the situation of the narrator. In the last stanza of the poem, the
author decides to add a rhyme scheme of AA BB, “It’s all I have to give, and all anyone needs to
live…” (24),” which signifies the feeling of safety which is brought to the narrator, showing that
the use of loving someone was affective. The switch between a free-verse poem to a confined,
rhyming poem is an example of a change in tone, adding significance, and showing gradual
Metaphors and similes are also usedThe author uses metaphors and similes in this poem,
and help the reader understand exactly the point the author is getting acrossthe different points
conveyed between the author and the reader. This includes communicating that everything is
Kelton Elias
2/14/2019
English 9, B
going to be just fine, even though life seems to be getting rough. One simile-metaphor cross that
the author uses is describing the feeling of love, “Keep it like a warm coat when winter comes to
cover you. (3)” In this example, the warm coat is representingrepresents the love’s protective
coating when living gets difficult. The winter coming is a metaphor used to describe all the
negative times and hardships that get in the way of being happy. Metaphors in this poem are also
usedused by the author in this poem to describe the ways love should be handled. In order to
describe keeping love safe, the poet uses metaphors like “and in the corner of your drawer,
tucked away like a cabin or hogan. (17)” Imagery also play a big role in helping this poem be
more understanding. For instance, “tucked away like a cabin or hogan,” gives the reader a clear
understanding that love needs to be kept safe, set apart from miserable, negative things. Another
example of a use of a metaphor is “rest by this fire, and make you feel safe, (22)” which shows
how “warm” love can feel when it is shown correctly. Using similes and metaphors help the
reader see the point being made in their head, enhancing their ability to better understand the text
After the uses of rhyme scheme, metaphors, and imagery, the poem written by Jimmy
Santiago Baca represents the theme of feeling loved and safe. Using these poetic devises not only
helps enables the poem to become more understanding, but it also enhances the way it sounds
being readfrom the reader’s perspective, spanning from repetition of certain words to free-verse
and rhyming. In the end, the outcome of these processes leaves the reader with a nicely
pleasantly written poem with a deeper meanings hidden within its depths.