The Imagery of “ Giving Birth”
The poem “She Understands Me” offers the visual imagery of giving birth. The “blood and breaking”in the first line of the poem, refer to that moment the woman’s amniotic fluid has disintegrated and the baby is about to be born. The squalling refers to the woman’s cries, which are due to the contractions, and the cries of the newborn baby. The emptying is the process of pushing the baby out of the womb. Even though the poem is short, it summarizes the entire process of child delivery.
The Imagery of Ghosts
The poem Seeker of visions” evokes the imagery of ghosts. The ghosts appear in visions, and it is difficult for the speaker to discern the implication in of the ghosts’ syllabus as there is no language of communication between the living people and ghosts. Notably, the ghosts are dressed in red, which denotes peril or death. Additionally, the paleness of the ghosts triggers a foreboding mood in the poem.
The Imagery of Menstruation
“A poem in Praise of Menstruation” appeals to the imagery of menstruation. The speaker normalizes menstruation using adjectives such as ‘beautiful’, ‘brave’, ‘ancient’, ‘powerful’, and ‘evident’. This poem sets the girls free to acknowledge menses as it is a worthwhile biological process. Reading through the poem, the reader visualizes how the menses flows out of the woman’s body just like a river. The pain of mensuration, which is mostly cramps, does not make the process less delightful.
