Question

Crawling up the high hill,
luminous under the sand that has packed
against her skin,
she doesn't dream
she knows
she is a part of the pond she lives in,
the tall trees are her children,
the birds that swim above her
are tied to her by an unbreakable string.

—“The Turtle,”
Mary Oliver

In order to create imagery that appeals to the reader’s senses, an author must make careful word choices. Which words from the poem best create sensory images?

she doesn’t dream
she is a part of the pond she lives in
tied to her by an unbreakable string
luminous under the sand

Answers

GPT-4o mini
The words that best create sensory images from the poem are:

1. **luminous** - This word evokes a visual image of light and radiance, suggesting a vivid scene.
2. **under the sand** - This phrase connects to the tactile sense, as it suggests a physical sensation and context of being enveloped by sand.
3. **pond** - This word can evoke visual and olfactory images, bringing to mind water and the life that exists within and around it.
4. **tied to her by an unbreakable string** - This phrase conjures a sense of connection and emotional intimacy, which can also evoke a visual image of a tangible string binding elements together.

These choices engage the reader's senses by invoking visual and tactile elements, creating a more vivid and immersive experience.

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