Turning Darker Still: Structure & Language Techniques

Overview

“Turning Darker Still” is one of the seminal works by Jacob Sam-La Rose.
The poem reflects on themes of change, loss, and the passage of time, portrayed through nature’s rhythms.

Structure

Organized in free verse shaped by shifts in focus and tone rather than traditional poetic meter and rhyme.
Use of juxtaposition amplifies the themes - weaving illustrations of nature’s beauty with its impending ‘darkening.’

Language Techniques

Emphatic use of imagery to describe the transition from day to night.
Rich with metaphors and similes - allows expression of nuanced emotions and offers deeper understanding of themes.
The poem’s mood shifts with complex lexical choices, reinforcing the sense of change and progression.

Imperative Moments

The poem’s opening remark - calls attention to the impending darkness which sets the overall tone.
The turning point in the poem - when darkness is not just imminent but present.
The final lines – Offers a paradoxical sensation of comfort and melancholy, reinforcing the theme of inevitable change.

Key Themes

The inexorability of change – Concept highlighted through the undisturbed transition from day into night.
Loss and Endings – Expressed through dimming daylight, symbolising closure and endings.
Accepting Impermanence – The inevitability of nightfall symbolises acceptance of life’s transitory nature.

Remember: Sam-La Rose utilises language and structure to imbue the simple act of the day turning into night with a deep significance. It’s essential to carefully examine the poet’s use of imagery, tonal shifts, lexical choices, and the overall free verse structure to fully comprehend this powerful piece.