Breasts by Charles Simic

The written word, much like music, can evoke powerful emotions. A poet can take a simple subject, and based on his or her choice of words and the use of language and literary devices, can turn it into artwork. In Charles Simic’s poem, “Breasts,” I will discuss how the piece is influenced by the use of diction and music. Despite the poem’s subject matter, it does not have a conversational tone. It reads …

…his words that Simic is able to relay that in his poem. The power of the word is mighty, but that alone is not sufficient in strengthening the meaning of a poem. Literary devices are used in almost every line, every stanza to help enrich the work, from simple things such as rhyme and alliteration to an intense metaphor or great simile. Literary devices are the tools which fine tune the words of a poem.