This is an analysis of the poem The Shield Of A Greeting that begins with:

for J.A., December 3, 1975
Ashes that survive the aftermath of fire...

Elements of the verse: questions and answers

The information we provided is prepared by means of a special computer program. Use the criteria sheet to understand greatest poems or improve your poetry analysis essay.

  • Rhyme scheme: X abXXba
  • Stanza lengths (in strings): 1,6,
  • Closest metre: trochaic pentameter
  • Сlosest rhyme: no rhyme
  • Сlosest stanza type: tercets
  • Guessed form: unknown form
  • Metre: 1101011 101010101010 100110010 1011001111000 111101000 00110111010 1001101010
  • Amount of stanzas: 2
  • Average number of symbols per stanza: 129
  • Average number of words per stanza: 22
  • Amount of lines: 7
  • Average number of symbols per line: 36 (medium-length strings)
  • Average number of words per line: 6
  • Mood of the speaker:

    The punctuation marks are various. Neither mark predominates.

If you write a school or university poetry essay, you should Include in your explanation of the poem:

  • summary of The Shield Of A Greeting;
  • central theme;
  • idea of the verse;
  • history of its creation;
  • critical appreciation.

Good luck in your poetry interpretation practice!

More information about poems by David Lehman