Mother, Any Distance

Question 1

Give a short summary of Mother Any Distance.

“The speaker describes a moment in his life where his….”

Answer 1

mother helps him take measurements for furnishing his new house. Metaphorically, it is about a young person growing in independence.

Question 2

“your fingertips still pinch the last one-hundredth of an inch.”

Answer 2

Mother Any Distance
Enjambment = the line reaches over into the next, reflecting his mothers desire to hold on to her son.

Question 2

”..to fall or fly.”

Answer 2

Mother Any Distance
Bird imagery = freedom from his mother.
Shorter last line = sense of uncertainty, ends with an ambivalent tone.

Question 3

“Anchor. Kite.”

Answer 3

Mother Any Distance
Caesura = could represent the distance between mum + son OR mother is stepping back, letting her son fly + flourish.
“Anchor” = Metaphor = keeps boats from drifting away (safe)
“Kite” = She’s keeping him safe but also holding him back.