“autumn gilt”
by valerie bloom
the late september sunshine
lime green on the linden leaves
burns bronze on the slated roof-
source: bloom, valerie. “autumn gilt.” let me touch the sky. new york: macmillan children’s books, 2000. the poetry archive. web. 7 june 2011.
analyze the use of figurative and literal language, poetic techniques, and sound devices in this poem. refer to specific lines in your answer.
this poem uses vivid imagery and careful word choice to convey the beauty of autumn. the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme and the poet uses irregular rhythm. alliteration is a regular technique in this poem. we see it in the lines "september sunshine/lime green on the linden leaves/burns bronze" with the repeated "s," "l," and "b" sounds. a dominant example is found in the first line of the second stanza: "it flares flame-like on the fire hydrant." the poet is using both literal and figurative language throughout the poem. she observes the sun shining on various things (literally) and uses vivid imagery to emphasize the beauty she finds in this autumn day. figurative language is found in her descriptions. she says the sunshine "flares flame-like on the fire hydrant," using a simile to show how brightly it shines. she ends with a metaphor comparing the september sunshine to a chameleon.

The literary devices used in this poem are irregular rhythm, alliteration and figurative language.

 Irregular rhythm is used in the second and fourth of the stanza,because it has a certain meter and the beat is not consistent but still in tact. Alliteration also plays a huge role in the poem because of the speech pattern that it uses. And finally, the figurative language the speaks solely on the wonders of autumn.

read this excerpt from “incidents in the life of a slave girl.”

i went about my evening work with trembling steps. mr. flint twice called from his chamber door to inquire why the house was not locked up. i replied that i had not done my work. "you have had time enough to do it," said he. "take care how you answer me! "

i shut all the windows, locked all the doors, and went up to the third story, to wait till midnight. how long those hours seemed, and how fervently i prayed that god would not forsake me in this hour of utmost need! i was about to risk everything on the throw of a die; and if i failed, o what would become of me and my poor children? they would be made to suffer for my fault.

at half past twelve i stole softly down stairs. i stopped on the second floor, thinking i heard a noise. i felt my way down into the parlor, and looked out of the window. the night was so intensely dark that i could see nothing. i raised the window very softly and jumped out. large drops of rain were falling, and the darkness bewildered me. i dropped on my knees, and breathed a short prayer to god for guidance and protection. i groped my way to the road, and rushed towards the town with almost lightning speed.

what is the main idea of this excerpt?

harriet worked for a man called mr. flint who became very impatient when she did not finish her work.

harriet waited until after midnight to run down the stairs and jump out of a window into the rain.

harriet was a frightened young girl who found the faith and courage to leave her home for an unknown life.

harriet felt very nervous about running away because she did not like being alone in the darkness.

explanation: