Figurative Language and Literary Devices Analyzing Poetry
Directions: Please review the poem. Add annotations. After annotating, please answer the three questions on the next page with detail in complete sentences.
My Father's Song by Simon Ortiz
Wanting to say things,
I miss my father tonight.
His voice, the slight catch,
the depth from his thin chest,
the tremble of emotion
in something he has just said
to his son, his song:
We planted corn one spring at Acu
we planted several times
but this one particular time
I remember the soft damp sand
in my hand.

My father had stopped at one point
to show me an overturned furrow;
the plowshare had unearthed
the burrow nest of a mouse
in the soft moist sand.

Very gently, he scooped tiny pink animals
into the palm of his hand
and told me to touch them.
We took them to the edge
of the field and put them in the shade
of a sand moist clod.

I remember the very softness
of cool and warm sand and tiny alive mice
and my father saying things.

How would you describe the tone of the poem, “My Father’s Song” by Simon Ortiz? (Please answer in complete sentences.)

List at least three words or phrases that help you identify this tone.

What do you think is the theme (life lesson the author is trying to teach) through this poem?
The author wants the reader to remember that life lessons are often taught through actions.
The poet, Simon Ortiz, uses literary devices in “My Father’s Song” to show the reader that life lessons are often taught through actions rather than just words. The poet uses careful word choice, imagery, and repetition to help the reader see the special relationship between the father and son. Even though the poem talks about “saying things”, the reader never hears the father’s voice, but only sees his actions.
First., the poet uses careful word choice to help the reader see the father’s character. The poet uses “tremble of emotion” and “gently, he scooped the tiny pink animals”, to show the reader that the father is gentle and kind.