The poem is about a future war
however it has references to
past wars.
Such as Austerliz
Or the Potsdam Concert
It is a haunting and fatalistic portrayal of what will
happen in the future if people do not learn from the
mistakes of the past and the present
It is written in free verse -
meaning there is no real form.
This could represent the confusion of
Vaudevue's mind
It could represent the chaos
and irregularity of War.
The poem does not have a conventional rhyme
scheme. However, Smith links lines through words
and sounds. These can come at the end of lines, in
the middle or at the beginning. For example Lines
12: alone/stone.
Imagery of water is frequently used
Could be used to show the ripple effects of conflict