poetry - the way my mother speaks Flashcards
“I say her phrases to myself/ in my head”
“Her” is possessive suggesting the words belong to her mother but the fact they are in “my head” clearly shows a deep and personal bond
“under the shallows of my breath”
“shallows” has connotations of water and perhaps recalls the sound waves themselves merging with the poet’s own breathing. this implies that her mother’s sayings are integral to her very existence
“restful shapes moving”
relates to the journey taking place, as scenes and landscapes that are still or resting seem to move when viewed from a train. “restful” and “moving” is a contradiction which perhaps links to the fact that on a train you seem to be still while the rest of the world races past you
“moving”
suggests the poets feelings, the phrases and journey are emotionally moving
“The day and ever. The day and ever.”
repetition mimics the rhythm of the travelling train. also suggests the poet repeating the words to herself, calming herself. use of “ever” at the end of the phrase refers to eternity, as if this jounrey will last her her whole life and this connection with her mother will always be there
“the train this slow evening / goes down england”
journey seems to be taking forever. the evening is “slow” suggesting that time itself has stretched, and that she has the chance to think and reflect. the train is “browsing” also has an unrushed, leisurely feel to it. Moreover, the use of long vowel sounds in “slow” “goes down” and “browsing” lows the pace of the words adding to the unhurried mood.
“too blue swapped for cool grey”
contrast between the colours reflect both a real and a metaphorical change. the move from blue to grey reflects the change from day to night in this evening journey. it also represents the move from child to adult
“browsing”
the train hasnt quite decided where it is going - the poet is unsure of her destination
“what like is it”
these phrases repeat themselves in her head. she is not speaking them out loud. this shows just how much of an effect her mother had on her development: she is still within her thought processes
“Only tonight / I am happy and sad”
this journey is a singular experience. sad to leave her mother behind but also positive about what the future holds for her and that fact she still has this connection with her past to take with her
“Like a child / who stood at the end of summer”
compares her feelins to those of moving from childhood to adulthood to the change of seasons
“green, erotic pond”
the delight and innocence of childhood is ending. green has connotations of naivety while erotic connotes a more adult theme. this juxtaposition could reflect the innocent child coming face to face with the wider world
“the day and ever”
no matter what she has to confront, she has her mother’s voice within her, giving her strength
“homesick, free”
homesick for her childhood, her past and her mother but she also feels free to establish her new identity, to stride forward, to continue travelling
“in love with the way my mother speaks”
line break just after love leaves it hanging for a moment, as if she is in love with life, a love which was given to her earlier by her mother. it returns to the title and tells us she is pleased to have such a bond with her past
