Question
open this door in my chest
and butterflies will escape
a brilliant and shimmering cloud of them
rushing out and stirring the air
with their flower petal wings
they’ve been waiting for so long
inside the cage of my ribs
they are ready to take flight
1. In line 1, the speaker refers to a door in her chest. In line 7, she refers to “the cage of my ribs.” What idea is the speaker expressing when she talks about her body this way? (Think about the purpose of a cage.)
2. Note the words and phrases the poet uses in the second stanza to describe the butterflies: “brilliant,” “shimmering,” “rushing out,” and “stirring the air.” What feelings or images do these words and phrases create?
3. The poet describes the butterflies as having “flower petal wings.” What does this metaphor tell you about the butterflies’ wings?
Short senences please
and butterflies will escape
a brilliant and shimmering cloud of them
rushing out and stirring the air
with their flower petal wings
they’ve been waiting for so long
inside the cage of my ribs
they are ready to take flight
1. In line 1, the speaker refers to a door in her chest. In line 7, she refers to “the cage of my ribs.” What idea is the speaker expressing when she talks about her body this way? (Think about the purpose of a cage.)
2. Note the words and phrases the poet uses in the second stanza to describe the butterflies: “brilliant,” “shimmering,” “rushing out,” and “stirring the air.” What feelings or images do these words and phrases create?
3. The poet describes the butterflies as having “flower petal wings.” What does this metaphor tell you about the butterflies’ wings?
Short senences please
Answers
GPT-4o mini
1. The speaker expresses that her emotions or true self are trapped inside her. The "cage" of her ribs restricts what she feels inside.
2. These words create a sense of beauty and excitement. They evoke feelings of joy, freedom, and a vibrant energy.
3. The metaphor suggests that the butterflies' wings are delicate and beautiful. It connects them to nature and represents grace and gentleness.
2. These words create a sense of beauty and excitement. They evoke feelings of joy, freedom, and a vibrant energy.
3. The metaphor suggests that the butterflies' wings are delicate and beautiful. It connects them to nature and represents grace and gentleness.