poppies*

• who is the author + when was it written?

  jane weir, 2009
• what is the function of the poem?

  • relates to any war- universal appeal
  • written from the perspective of a mother
• what is the significance of "to run my fingers through the gelled blackthorns of your hair"?

  blackthorns are european shrubs with spikey, hard thorns - maternal instincts can no longer control her son. Gelled hair is hard to change, a metaphor for not being able to change his mind now.
• what is the significance of "released a song bird from its cage/a single dove flew from the pear tree"?


  Metaphor: she is releasing her son into world or she is letting her emotions out. The dove is a peace symbol of her being at peace with the situation, her son dying at war.
• "i rounded up as many white cat hairs as I could, smoothed down your shirt's collar" what is the significance of this?


  a sense of nostalgia, reminding her of her son's first day of school and she is still viewing her son as a child instead of an adult.
• "threw it open, the world overflowing like a treasure chest" what is the significance of this?


  similie: something to look forward to, an exciting sense of endless possibility, she thinks something positive is waiting for him on the outside world. Life is limitless but is limited by war if you die.
• what is the structure of the poem?

  enjambment: when a line carries onto the next line. Shows her thoughts are coming out quickly, she can't stop herself.
• what is the form of Poppies?

  free verse poem, this and the 1st person narrative makes the reader feel like a part of the mother's own memories and emotions.
• how long did it take to write Poppies?

  written in 1 sitting (very quick)
• in terms of war, what was happening when Poppies was written?

  British soldiers were dying in Iraq and Afghanistan
• which author approached Weir about Poppies?

  Carol Ann Duffy
• which war is Poppies about?

  relates to any war, universal appeal, contemporary war poem.