Final answer:
The question relates to literary devices, specifically imagery and metaphor, in a given poetry excerpt. Imagery creates vivid visual pictures and metaphors connect abstract concepts with physical representations, encouraging readers to explore complex ideas in a tangible way.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to literary devices and their use in a particular piece of poetry. In the given excerpt, the literary device that is featured prominently is imagery, as the writer describes vivid images that allow the reader to visualize the concepts being discussed. For instance, 'An infant sleeping's / a milky sea' and 'A star / is fire and flower' utilize metaphors that evoke a strong visual picture. The comparison of seemingly dissimilar things—such as fire and flower—to describe a star emphasizes the creative and dual nature of language and metaphor, which is again highlighted by the concluding comparison of a star to a fire, a literal scientific fact that is used to add depth to the poetic imagery.
In relation to the figurative language or literary devices noted, they serve to open new pathways of thought and understanding for the reader, connecting the physical with the abstract. This technique is central to poetry, allowing readers to explore complex ideas through more tangible means.