Explore the ways different poets respond to the experiences of relationship in their poems.
The poem "Nettles" by Vernon Scannel is about the narrator showing his thoughts and feelings when his son fell in a bed of nettles. The poem shows us that their relationship was strong and that they were close.
The poet uses a metaphors to share his thoughts and feelings. An example of a metaphor is when the poet compares the nettles to be "green spears." The words "green spears" makes me think the nettle are like weapons that are razor-sharp. The use of colour imagery here with the "green" isn't used for pain. The colour green links with environment in this instance it is nature that has hurt his son. Another example of a metaphor is when he compares the nettles like soldiers dying in a army " fallen dead". This suggests that he is angry and upset because the nettles hurt his son. Also this suggests that he wants revenge by killing the nettles. Moreover, it suggests that he has killed the nettles and the nettles are thrashed! The poet describes the nettles like "nettle bed". The word "bed" suggests that the bed is comfy. The word bed is usually associated with soft, relaxing and warm. The word "nettle" is associate with sharp. The words " nettle bed" suggest that the poet son has fallen into a nettle bed and hurt himself Moreover, another example of a metaphor is when he compares the nettles like soldiers because in the text it says "fallen dead." This suggests that he is angry and upset because the nettles have hurt his son. In addition, it also suggests that he wanted to kill the nettles because the poet wants to kill the nettles like they hurt his son. Moreover, it also suggests that he wants to seek revenge from the nettles . The poet uses military language because in the text it says "regiment of spite". The word "regiment" is associated with the army. Also the it suggests that its a non loosing battle which means that when once the nettles start growing they will never stop growing and that his son will hurt himself again in the nettle bed . . The word "spite" suggests the stinging of the nettles is deliberate almost that they are trying to hurt people. The poet uses alliteration to share his thoughts and feelings because in the text it says " white blisters beaded". The words "blisters beaded" reflects the pain and agony felt by the child and the empathy of the father towards his feelings. The use of imagery here with the "white" is associated with purity but in this instance the colour white is associated pain. The poet uses personification to share his thoughts and feeling because in the text it says "hook and honed the blade" suggests violence and creates a anger over stone to this part of the poem. The verb "honed" is used in this context to suggest the sharpening of the blade. This shows that the man wants the blade to be perfectly sharp, ready to kill the nettles. The poet uses onomatopoeia to show his feelings because in the text it says "slashed in fury" to describe the actions of the man attacking the nettles. It shows that he is furious because the nettles have hurt his son. The onomatopoeia of the verb "slashed" reflects the action the blade is taking and sound it makes. This shows he wants to cause as much damage as possible on the nettles because the nettles hurt his son and wants to get revenge off the nettles. The poet uses the poem "Nettles" to show the relationship between him and his son. We know this because in the poem it says " my son would often feel sharp wounds again" . This suggests that Vernon Scannell is trying to protect his son. However, children are going to get hurt all the time without parents knowing so this is why Vernon Scannell wrote the poem "Nettles " to tell all the parents that they cannot protect their children all the time.

Praise song for my mother The poet uses a metaphor to show her thoughts and feelings because in the text it says " You were water to me deep and bold fathoming". The word "water" is used to describe the relationship between the mother and daughter. The word "water" makes me think of lots of different interpretations. It could mean that her love was deep. Water is a life source so it suggests that she needed her mother. Her mum could have been a calming source and their relationship was pure and honest. Another example of a metaphor is "moon's eye" is used to describe that her mother is always close to her. The word "moon's" makes me think that her and her mother are always connected. It could also mean that her mother was constant. Moreover, the word "moon" could suggest that her mother is always watching over her. The metaphor "You were sunrise to me, rise and warm and streaming". The metaphor "sunrise" is used to describe that her mother was warm. The word "sunrise" makes me think that her mum is uplifting. Moreover, the word "streaming" suggests that her mum's love is steadily and also it suggests that her mom love is nurtures. The narrator uses colour imagery because in the text it says "You were the fishes red gill to me". The word "red gill" suggests that the narrator needs her mum live and she cant live without her mum. Moreover, it suggests that she needs her mother to breath. The poet uses a metaphor because in the text it says "the lame tree's spread to me". The metaphor "flame" is used to describe the relationship between the mother and daughter. The word "flame" makes me think of f ire, and fire is strong just like her mother. In addition, it could also mean that her mother was passionate. The poet uses a metaphor because in the text it says "the crab's leg/the fried plantain smell" makes me think of their relationship. The word "crab leg" makes me think of the food they use to eat and brings back memories of her mother. It could mean what culture is about and what they use to eat. The poet uses repetition because in the text it says "replenishing replenishing". The repetition "replenishing" makes me think of the love between the mother and daughter. These words could mean that they had happy memories and brings back good memories of them both, and how strong the love was between the too. The sentence "Go to your wide futures, you said" makes me think of the love between them. This could suggest that their something is something more to come and something is leading on. Moreover, the mother is encouraging and inspirational.
Harmonium
At the beginning of the poem Harmonium we learnt that the poem was about a relationship between the son and father. The poem tells us how he feels towards his son and vice versa . In addition, the poem is about the strong relationship between the father and son.
In the first stanza we learn that the harmonium is going to be "And was due to be bundled of to the skip or was mine, for a song if I wanted it" . This makes me think that the harmonium is old. It could also mean that it is unwanted and hasn't been played for a while. The fact that they are offering it to Armitage shows me that they think he would appreciate it. The poet uses imagery to show his feelings and thoughts because in the text it says "Sunlight through the stained glass, which day to day could beatify saints and raise the dead". I get the impression that the sunlight gives you a positive feeling. The church comes alive with Armitage singing to "beatify saints". He is praising the saints. The fact that his singing could "raise the dead" makes me think that his singing is beautiful. In stanza 2 the narrator uses personification because in the text it says " yellowed the fingernails". This makes me think that the sunlight has aged the harmonium. The words "yellowed the fingernails" makes me think the harmonium is old and yellow just like his dad. The words "smokers fingers" suggest that the son is observing his father really closely. Another example of a personification in stanza 2 is "And one of the notes had lost his tongue". This suggests that harmonium is old and has lost his keys. Also it suggests that the harmonium is getting old like the narrators dad. Moreover, it suggests that he is describing the father being the harmonium player. The poet uses a simile because in the text it says " where father and son, each in their time, had opened their throats and gilded finches- like high notes- had streamed out". the words "like high notes" suggests that the narrators dad has compared the singing to the "glided finches" which is a rare bird. In addition, the words "had opened their throats" suggests that they have beautiful voices. The poet uses a metaphor because in the text it says " bundled of to the skip" suggests that the harmonium is old. Also it could represent the father and that the farther is old like the harmonium. Moreover, it could suggest Simon Armitage doesn't want it. The poet uses repetition because in the text it says "and holes were worn in both the treadles where the organist's feet, in grey, woollen socks and leather-soled shoes, had pedalled and pedalled" makes me think that the repetition is used to empathise that the harmonium has been used for a long time. Also it could suggest that the dad has been around for a long time. Also the lines discuss the condition of the harmonium's treadles. The fact that "holes were worn" suggests that the harmonium is old and that it has been played a lot and worn out. The relationship between the father and son relationship is special. I know this because in the text it says "each in their time" suggests that they pass on the skill. The poet uses description because in the text it says " And he, being him, can't help but say that the next box I'll shoulder through the nave". The words " he being him" suggests that he know his dad really well. The word "box" suggests that its a coffin. Quickdraw
The poem "Quickdraw" is a relationship between a couple. The poem is from the girls point of view, we know this because of the reactions. The poet uses a simile to show feeling and thought and feelings because in the poem it says "like guns". This makes me think that she is ready to attack and is waiting for a phone call. The narrator uses a metaphor because in the text it says "Then you blast me through the heart". The metaphor in the poem suggests that she has been heart broken by what he said. Moreover, it suggests the narrator feels like she has been shot by words. The colour read is linked with both love and blood. The poet uses a short line to show his feelings because in the text it says "I'm all alone". This suggests that she has been physically and emotionally hurt. Moreover, it suggests that the guy has left her alone and that she isolated. The poet uses a metaphor to show their relationship is both aggressive and passionate. Metaphors are used to show this: the lover's voice becomes a "pellet" , while their kisses are "silver bullets". Humour is frequently used. Even though the poem is about a painful and aggressive argument, it becomes a farcical. The narrators physical responses to the text messages are almost slapstick: "I twirl the phone", "I reel". The responses are over the top, but make the pain of such arguments very clear. The words " wide of the mark"makes me think the words she said hasn't him and that man is in control of the relationship. In the poem "Quickdraw" the girl has been hurt really bad because in the text it says "you've wounded me". This suggests that she has broken up with her boyfriend and is heart broken. Moreover, it suggests that she has been emotionally hurt "wounded". The word "wounded" makes me think of a open cut but in this poem it is associated with pain in the heart because he has blast her with words which made her emotionally upset, also it suggests that she has been hurt physically as well as emotionally. In stanza four I learn that the poem changes because first the girl was a bit confident and now in stanza four she is devastated and has give hope, also that she has been knocked down by rejection. The girl has been hurted really bad because in the text it says "silver bullets of your kiss". This suggests that he has killed her feelings with words. The poet uses a simile because in the text it says "I wear the two, the mobile and the landline phones, like guns, slung from the pockets o my hips". The simile in the poem is trying to say that the phones are like guns, in the holster ready to shoot. The narrator is expecting a phone call and this is why the phones are in her pockets like guns in the holster on her hips. The word "Quickdraw" shows that she is ready to answer the phone quickly. The poet uses alliteration because in the text it says" I twirl the phone, then squeeze the trigger of my tongue". The hard 't' sounds reflect to the senses of aggression. The poet uses second-person pronouns to draw the reader in and to make us feel involved: "You choose your spot". It is almost as though we are the lovers. The poet uses imagery from western film is with determination used to clash with the modern technology of the mobile phones. The combination of old and new sends the message that relationships have always gone through difficulties... whatever weapons are used, lovers are capable of being hurt. The poet uses repetition because in the text it says "Take this... and this... and this...and this...". The repetition in the poem suggests that the girl is furious, and is shooting with words. In addition, the ellipsis creates tension. Moreover, the narrator feels aggression because she has been hurt and we don't know why also we don't know what has been said to her but we do know that it's hurt her greatly. By Sanaa Zaib