Final answer:
The gradual shortening of lines in a poem can contribute to the meaning in different ways, creating tension or mirroring the emotions being described.
Step-by-step explanation:
The gradual shortening of lines in a poem can contribute to the meaning in different ways. In some cases, it can create a sense of tension or urgency, as the lines become shorter and more concise. This can reflect the emotions or events being described in the poem. For example, in the poem provided, as the lines gradually shorten, it creates a sense of fleetingness and disappearance, mirroring the candle flame that eventually flickers and vanishes.