One of the strongest literary images I encountered is from the poem "Wave" by Dale Wisely. The poem describes a powerful, relentless wave that serves as a metaphor for the inevitable passage of time and the subsequent loss of youth and innocence.
In the poem, Wisely writes, "The wave, unstoppable, takes / Everything with it. It is / Water and also the end / Of warm nights and cinnamon / And the little laughed / Futures of two kids, / The older, one." This image of the wave as a devourer of everything in its path is incredibly vivid and striking.
The wave is portrayed as a force that sweeps away not only physical objects but also intangible aspects of life, such as warmth, laughter, and hope for the future. It symbolizes the inescapable march of time and the ultimate futility of trying to hold onto fleeting moments of happiness and innocence.
This image leaves a lasting impression on the reader, evoking a sense of loss and the bittersweet nature of life. It serves as a reminder of the impermanence of all things and the need to appreciate and cherish the present moment before it too is washed away by the relentless wave of time.
Describe one of the strongest literary images (not a picture or drawing from the reading) you encountered from any of the following literature:
⚫ from Of Wolves and Men by Barry Holstun Lopez
• "Birches" by Robert Frost
• "Haiku" by Kaga no Chiyo
• "Haiku" by Basho
"Spring is like a perhaps hand" by E.E. Cummings
from An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore
⚫ "The Deadliest Tsunami in History?" by National Geographic News
• "Orphans Give Indian Couple Will to Live; 2004 Tsunami Killed Their Son, Two Daughters" by Shaikh Azizur Rahman
"Wave" by Dale Wisely
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