tissues

• paper that lets the light shine through, this is what could alter things

  paper begins the first two sentences in the poem, drawing the readers attention

  suggests that paper is important and can drive the change that the third line alludes to
• pages smoothed and stroked and turned

  gentle verbs and repetition of 'and' shows that the pages are treated with respect and care

  the description makes them seem almost as if they are a child, pet or precious possession
• of paper smoothed and stroked and thinned to be transparent

  repetition

  we are all part of a complex, lasting family history

  short, simple clause using mostly monosyllabic words reinforces idea that human lives are temporary, we are but tissue
• find a way to trace a grand design

  light will continue to shine even if structures break

  a criticism of human pride

  shift from talking about paper to humans, a construction more complex and 'grand' than any building
• context

  written by Imitiaz Dharker, born in 1954