Answer:
"Strange Dreams" by Goran Gustafson is a poem that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human need for connection. The poet uses several stylistic devices to convey these themes:
1. Imagery: The poem is rich in imagery, with vivid descriptions of empty houses, quiet streets, and deserted landscapes. For example, the line "Empty houses stand vacantly and stare" creates a powerful image of abandoned homes.
2. Personification: The poet uses personification to bring the empty spaces to life, giving them human qualities. For example, "vacantly and stare" suggests that the empty houses are alive and aware, watching over the lonely narrator.
3. Repetition: The phrase "when no one is here my soul to keep" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the theme of loneliness and the sense of being adrift in an empty world.
4. Alliteration: The use of alliteration, or the repetition of consonant sounds, adds to the poem's musicality and creates a sense of rhythm. For example, in the line "Silent streets stretch out and sleep," the repetition of the "s" sound creates a hushed, dreamlike atmosphere.
5. Metaphor: The use of metaphor helps to convey the emotional tone of the poem. For example, the line "I am a ghost among the living" compares the narrator's sense of isolation to that of a ghost, emphasizing the feeling of being disconnected from the world around them.
Overall, "Strange Dreams" is a haunting and evocative poem that uses a variety of stylistic devices to capture the themes of loneliness and isolation. The vivid imagery, personification, repetition, alliteration, and metaphor all work together to create a powerful and memorable poem.