Question

“Autumn Gilt” by Valerie Bloom The late September sunshine Lime green on the linden leaves Burns bronze on the slated roof-tops, Yellow on the farmer’s last sheaves. It flares flame-like on the fire hydrant, Is ebony on the blackbird’s wing, Blue beryl on the face of the ocean, Glints gold on the bride’s wedding ring. A sparkling rainbow on the stained-glass window, It’s a silver sheen on the kitchen sink, The late September sunshine Is a chameleon, I think. Source: Bloom, Valerie. “Autumn Gilt.” Let Me Touch the Sky. New York: MacMillan Children’s Books, 2000. The Poetry Archive. Web. 7 June 2011. Analyze the use of figurative and literal language, poetic techniques, and sound devices in this poem. Refer to specific lines in your answer.

Answer 1

One poetic technique used is alliteration exemplified by such phrases as;" lime green on the linden  leaves", "burns bronze", "blue Beryl" and "glints gold". "The late September sunshine is a chameleon" is figurative language. Literal language could be "a silver sheen on the kitchen sink", or "burns bronze on the slated rooftop" for example. The alliteration is a sound device as two words starting with the same letter makes pleasant sounds.