"Shake the dead in their shrouds;
..."See in text(An Acre of Grass)
Alliteration is employed in the line with the repetition of the initial “S” sound in “shake” and “shrouds.” The alliteration is heightened by each of the words beginning with “sh,” as well. The sound device draws special attention to the dramatic image of moving even the dead with the power of poetry.
"Myself must I remake
..."See in text(An Acre of Grass)
The rhymes in the ABCB scheme in the remainder of the poem are perfect rhymes: “remake,” “Blake,” “clouds,” and “shrouds,” while the rhymes in the first two stanzas are weak slant rhymes. The perfect rhymes add strength and a growing sense of power as the poem moves toward its conclusion.
"Grant me an old man's frenzy,
..."See in text(An Acre of Grass)
The two lines mark the volta or turn in the poem as the speaker’s tone changes dramatically from the tone of resignation in the first two stanzas. The word “frenzy” means uncontrolled, excited behavior or emotion. No longer contemplating what has been lost in old age and accepting the loss, he looks to the remainder of his life, intent upon reclaiming his creative powers.
"the mill of the mind..."See in text(An Acre of Grass)
The speaker’s mind is described with an indirect metaphor, a figure of speech that describes one thing by implying that it is something quite different. The function of a mill is to grind grain into flour, thus creating something that had not existed before the milling process. The indirect metaphor suggests the creative process of the mind.
"Midnight, an old house
Where nothing stirs but a mouse...."See in text(An Acre of Grass)
The lines may be interpreted as referring to the poem’s setting, midnight at Riversdale. However, “midnight” and “an old house” may symbolize the speaker’s life in old age. The lines suggest silence, solitude, and emptiness.
