One example of figurative language in the poem is when the speaker says, "their voices are a foreign language I can't understand." This is an example of a metaphor, as the speaker is comparing her children's speech to a foreign language, which she struggles to comprehend. This metaphor highlights the communication barriers that can arise between parents and teenagers as they navigate the complexities of growing up.
Another example of figurative language is when the speaker says, "I feel like a passenger in their lives." This is an example of a simile, as the speaker is comparing herself to a passenger who has no control over the direction of the journey. This simile highlights the speaker's sense of detachment from her children's lives and her feeling of being powerless in the face of their growing independence.
The poem also uses imagery to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. For example, when the speaker describes how her children "grow like weeds," this imagery evokes the rapid and sometimes uncontrollable growth of teenagers, as well as the challenges of keeping up with their changing needs and desires.