Final answer:
The poem uses an extended metaphor to compare an author's act of writing to the nurturing relationship between a mother and her child.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extended metaphor throughout the poem is comparing an author and her writing to a mother and her child. This metaphor suggests that the creation of a written work is akin to the nurturing and complex process of raising a child, indicative of the deep personal connection and investment an author has in her craft, much like the bond between a mother and her child. Poets often use metaphors and similes to draw parallels between seemingly unrelated concepts, creating a bridge for the reader to understand complex emotions or ideas through more familiar terms. For example, the line from Confections by Laura Kasischke, "An infant sleeping's a milky sea," uses metaphor to convey tranquility and gentleness. Such literary devices enrich the reader's experience by invoking imagery and emotional resonance that go beyond the literal meaning of the words.