Share 3.9 POETRY
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"Ode to my shoes": The title of the poem is ‘Ode to My Shoes’. Why is this an ‘ode’?
Because his shoes are very important to the poet. He appreciates them and all that they do. They make him feel good.
"Ode to my shoes": The lines in the poem are very short. What is the effect of this? What kind of feeling does this give the poem? Is it stressful or calm?
The short lines mean that you take time to read the poem. This makes you feel calm and relaxed, just like the shoes.
"Ode to my shoes": How would the poem be different if the poet had written long lines, like this? my shoes rest all night under my bed tired they stretch and loosen their laces
When you read these long lines, you read them more quickly. You don’t pause between each group of words. You don’t feel so calm and relaxed.
"Ode to my shoes": Look at the word ‘tired’ in line 6. Is this word usually a negative or positive adjective? How is it used here?
‘Tired’ usually has a negative meaning: ‘It’s late and I’m tired. I need to go to bed.’ Here, in the poem, ‘tired’ means something like ‘pleasantly relaxed’.
"Ode to my shoes": How and why does the poet use personifi cation in this poem?
He uses personification to make the shoes seem more real, as if they have a life of their own.
"Flannel": What is the object that the poet is describing?
A shirt
"Flannel": Why do you think the title of the poem is ‘Flannel’ and not the name of the object?
Because the material it’s made of is more important than the name of the item.
"Flannel": What do you think the poet likes about the object she’s describing?
She likes the way it feels and smells, and the way it reminds her of good times and places.
"Flannel": How does the poet use the senses in her description?
She uses the sense of touch (‘soft’), smell (‘pine smells’) and sight (‘I keep it hidden’).
"Flannel": What does the second verse tell you?
The second verse tells you that the poet is probably quite a private person. She is someone who is happy on her own, perhaps, remembering good experiences.
"A Slash of Blue": How many colours are mentioned?
Six (blue, gray/grey, scarlet, purple, ruby, gold)
"A Slash of Blue": Which words describe the different shapes of the colours?
slash, sweep, patch, wave, bank
"A Slash of Blue": Does the poem describe an image that stays the same or does it change?
It changes, from the evening sky to the morning sky
"A Slash of Blue": How does the poet create a feeling of drama in the poem?
She uses dynamic words to describe the colours, which give an impression of movement; she uses personification, uses short lines, each containing a new image
