Final answer:
The use of lowercase letters at the beginning of most lines in "the drought" conveys a subdued tone and signifies a disruption of norms, mirroring the effects of a drought and impacting the reader's perception of the poem's theme.
Step-by-step explanation:
The choice to begin almost every line in the poem "the drought" with a lowercase letter may be a deliberate stylistic decision by the poet to convey a certain tone or to emphasize particular themes. By not adhering to the conventional grammatical rule of starting each line with a capital letter, the poet creates a sense of continuity and an informal, perhaps subdued or weary tone that is apt for the subject of a drought. Additionally, this choice could also signify the breakdown of normal orders and expectations, much like a drought disrupts the natural order. Such decisions in poetry often affect the reader's perception, potentially leading to feelings of unease, emphasizing the gravity of the theme, or mirroring the diminished vigor associated with the experience of a drought.