In the analogy, one form of figurative language that is used is metaphor.
The analogy compares "writing a book of poetry" to "dropping a rose petal down the Grand Canyon and waiting for the echo."
This comparison illustrates the idea of creating art (poetry) and the anticipation of how it will resonate or be received by others. The act of dropping a delicate and transient rose petal symbolizes the fragility and beauty of poetry, while waiting for the echo represents the uncertainty of its impact, highlighting the idea that the poet may never truly hear or see the effects of their work, just as the sound of the petal may be lost in the vastness of the canyon.
Overall, this analogy emphasizes both the beauty and the inherent uncertainty of creative expression, suggesting that the act of writing poetry is both an intimate personal endeavor and a solitary experience where the ultimate reception may be unclear.