Imagery: The poet uses the image of harvest to
indicate the nature and time of his fathers death.
'When he had fallen in love with death, one time
when sheaves were gathered.'
Language: The language is simple and direct.
Tone: The tone is gentle and reflective and there is no
evidence of raw pain in the poem. Rather the poet is
reflecting on his experiences in order to come to
terms with his fathers death.
Repetition: The phrase 'Every old man I see,' is repeated
to emphasise the fact that the poet is constantly
reminded of his father. The poem begins and ends inthe
same place.
Enjambment: The first stanza has run on
lines. The movement of the lines reflects
the fathers movement towards death.