Absence

structural

3 quintain's, lyric poem, juxtaposition between first and second stanza because 1st = lack of physical change and 2nd = extent of emotional change

linguistically

enjambment gives conversational and more intimate tone, direct address evokes pathos, sibilance draws attention to phrases.

I visited the place where we last met

line 1 stanza 1. use of pronouns gives impression of transition and talking into the void (loneliness) - ironic because nobody actually there.

thoughtless birds

line 1 stanza 2. inconsiderate nature? therefore underlying tone of bitterness within narrator because nature isn't in tune with her feelings.

nothing was changed

line 2 stanza 1. negative language reinforces how it has remained the same physically.

singing an ecstasy I could not share

line 2 stanza 2.bitterness with nature as cannot share happiness through meloncholy.

usual steady jet

line 3 stanza 1. negative language reinforces how it has remained the same physically.

no sign

line 4 stanza 1. negative language reinforces how it has remained the same physically.

nothing to instruct me to forget

line 5 stanza 1. negative language reinforces how it has remained the same physically.

it was because the place was just the same/ that made your absence seem such a savage force

lines 1 and 2 of stanza 3. juxtaposition between each line, 1 = intensifier and no change, but second line = direct address leading to pathos and sibilance implying anger. Metaphor for absence makes it tangible.

surely in these/ pleasures there could not be a pain to bear

lines 3,4 and 5 of stanza 2. narrator's can't believe she is discontent in such a idyllic location (disbelief at her lack of harmony), surely = universal and bear = hardship.

An earthquake tremor: fountain, birds and grass/ were shaken by my thinking of your name

lines 4 and 5 of stanza 3. caesura in the 4th line represents disturbance in emotional landscape, grass disturbs rhyme scheme which represents unharmonious physical and emotional barrier. line 5 shows effect of emotional instability on the landscape and implies

Elizabeth Jennings

poet

Absence

title - immediately emotional and an intangible thing.