Sound and Sense (Ch. 3, 4)

Wind and Silver

Greatly shining,
The Autumn moon floats in the thin sky;
And the fish-ponds shake their backs and flash their dragon scales
As she passes over them

Amy Lowell [1874-1925]

This, in my opinion, is the best poem in these two chapters. Although it is short, it is quite compact and extremely descriptive of a beautiful scene (something that I have yet to experience).

1. Personification

The fish-ponds are said to have backs and dragon scales, and the Autumn moon is said to be a "she." By taking inanimate objects and giving them human characteristics, the poem makes the scenery more beautiful.

2. Metaphor

The fish-ponds are said to have backs and dragon scales. In reality, this scene would be nothing more than the moonlight reflected by small ponds. This reminds me of scenes from nature in which male birds show off their plumage to attract the females.

3. Word Arrangement

Note the title of this poem. "Wind and Silver." Most people would arrange these words to be something like "silver wind." (I would) But by making these two words separate, the author makes the reader think about what the poem will be even before he starts to read it.