aimlessly floating , no control over direction-simile
image is repellent , disgusting , horror
Put a bullet between the birds
Strong , Powerful metaphor
Looking for a merciful quick and painless death, the patient seems to be asking for respect and mercy
this metaphor links to previous message where he has likened the patients eyes to birds hence here there is a direct appeal to kill the patent by
shooting him
Word Choice
gurgle
a noise a baby would make, in contrast with adult patient, shows how incapable the patient is
Black
connotations with dark , depression and negetive
Depression is all there is left, going back in a coma
Mottled
blurred , indistinct
Agony
Severe intense pain
Darkness
connotations of blackness and depression
screams drowned
submerged , suffocated
on inside it is as if it were a storm raging , but on the outside all is silent and calm
, Roger Mcgough recreates patients feelings of entrapment , despair and frustration
Glimmer
tiny , small chance
I love you
intimate expression of affection , simple , offering hope
Squawk
onomatopoeia , ugly harsh sound , frustration
gurgle
repetition , emphasises patients helplessness
walk out
patient left alone
Sentance Structure
I do not smile because I am happy
opening of the poem contrasts with the patients outward appearance and inner thoughts
Agony.
Darkness.
two one word sentances emphisises how he feels and what he sees
Seeking some glimmer of recognition
Some Sign of recovery.
Repetition of 'some' suggests little likelihood that it will happen , shows despair
mottled mainly 'black'
repetition of black in previous stanza suggest that everyday is the same and it is depressing for the patient