Begin by describing the content or “story” of the poem. Tell what the poem is about. Next describe the tone the speaker takes towards the material noting any figurative language in the poem. After this identify the metrical features of the poem leading to an identification of the form, if possible. Finally, evaluate the poem. Is this a successful poem? Why or why not?
Tears in sleep
Louise Bogan, 1897 – 1970
All night the cocks crew, under a moon like day,
And I, in the cage of sleep, on a stranger’s breast,
Shed tears, like a task not to be put away---
In the false light, false grief in my happy bed,
A labor of tears, set against joy’s undoing.
I would not wake at your word, I had tears to say.
I clung to the bars of the dream and they were said,
And pain’s derisive hand had given me rest
From the night giving off flames, and the dark renewing.
