Question

“Fifteen”

By William Stafford

Read the poem, and then answer the questions.

South of the bridge on Seventeenth

I found back of the willows one summer

day a motorcycle with engine running

as it lay on its side, ticking over

slowly in the high grass. I was fifteen.

I admired all that pulsing gleam, the

shiny flanks, the demure headlights

fringed where it lay; I led it gently

to the road and stood with that

companion, ready and friendly. I was fifteen.

We could find the end of a road, meet

the sky on out Seventeenth. I thought about

hills, and patting the handle got back a

confident opinion. On the bridge we indulged

a forward feeling, a tremble. I was fifteen.

Thinking, back farther in the grass I found

the owner, just coming to, where he had flipped

over the rail. He had blood on his hand, was pale—

I helped him walk to his machine. He ran his hand

over it, called me good man, roared away.

I stood there, fifteen. 

William Stafford, “Fifteen” from Ask Me: 100 Essential Poems. Copyright © 1966, 2014 by William Stafford and the Estate of William Stafford. Reprinted with the permission of The Permissions Company, Inc. on behalf of Graywolf Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota, www.graywolfpress.org.

Question

Describe how the poet uses figurative language throughout the poem. Support your response with one or two details from the poem.

Write your answer in at least 2–3 sentences.

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Answer 1

The poet uses figurative language throughout the poem to convey the speaker's admiration and excitement for the motorcycle. For example, he describes the motorcycle's "shiny flanks" and "demure headlights" as if they were part of a living creature. This personification helps the reader understand the speaker's deep connection and fascination with the motorcycle.