The Illiterate.

The poem makes some very subtle points about just how difficult it can be for someone to become literate with the English language. Lines 2 and 3 both end with the word “hand” but the meaning of that word is different in each case. The same holds true for the use of “means” in lines 6 and 7. “Beloved” is used first as a noun before the poem ends with it used as a verbal adjective. With just three relatively commonly used words, the poet reveals what a true accomplishment it is to be literate in the English language.