War Photographer: Form and Structure

“War Photographer” is composed in four stanzas, each containing six lines. This consistent, rhythmic structure ties in with the meticulous nature of the war photographer’s work.
The poem employs rhymed couplets, which brings a sense of order to the chaotic and brutal reality of war - reflecting the photographer’s attempt to provide structure and meaning through his photographs.
The structure lets the poem progress from the darkroom, to the photographer’s memories, to the newspaper editor’s office, to the reader’s breakfast table, subtly revealing the journey these photographs take and the impact they have.

The use of first person narration allows readers to closely associate with the photographer’s experiences, permitting a deeper understanding of his feelings.
Free verse is employed, giving the poet freedom to bring forth the irregularities and harsh realities of the war.
The poem follows a cyclical structure, starting and ending in the darkroom. This serves to highlight that despite the horrors captured and displayed, the cycle of war and suffering continues unabated.

The separation of the poem into four distinct sections could mirror the compartments in the photographer’s camera, each carrying a distinct, yet interconnected image and narrative.
Each stanza transitions from the personal to the public domain, serving to illustrate the vast gap in understanding and empathising with the atrocities of war.
The commas used provide a paused, reflective pace that mirrors the careful, deliberate process of developing photos, which also offers the speaker a chance to meditate on each scene he’s captured.