Final Answer:
The best explanation for the effect of the first 10 lines of this poem is that readers realize the speaker is having a flashback (A).
Thus the correct option is (A).
Step-by-step explanation:
In the opening lines of the poem, the use of past tense verbs and reflective language suggests a departure from the present moment, indicating a shift into the past.
This linguistic choice triggers the reader's awareness that the speaker is recounting events from memory, creating the sense of a flashback. The speaker's reflections set a nostalgic tone, emphasizing a longing for a bygone time.
The choice of words such as "remember" and "used to" further reinforces the idea that the speaker is revisiting a different period in their life. This flashback serves as a narrative device to transport the reader into the speaker's past experiences, providing context and setting the emotional tone for the rest of the poem.
The impact of these initial lines is pivotal in establishing the temporal framework and emotional resonance that underlies the speaker's sentiments.
Thus the correct option is (A).