The persona uses simplistic, pragmatic and straightforward lines that imitates a child-like stream of conscience. He/she doesn’t use flowery words or sensationalise the poem, instead, he/she allows the reader reflect on what he/she is pondering about. The persona himself/herself, however, is not a child, because in the first line, the phrase ‘used to’ makes this very clear. Although the poem is written in one verse, with rhymes and figures of speech, the persona can’t be a child because the extended metaphors and implications behind the lines contains too much depth, since children aren’t usually thoughtful of situations.
The structure of the poem also points to this. It is written in one simple verse, without a lot of deliberate formatting. The first four lines is a reminiscence of his/her perspective about adulthood, but lines 5-10 after that line, is a recollection about an event which causes an epiphany. The first four lines are noticeably much more pensive and nostalgic than the last five, which is much more poignant and evocative whilst assuming a more mature tone. Line four and Line ten are both shorter, a thoughtful way of separating two sections without paragraphing. This organization and meticulous rhythm mirrors that of a child, but the mindful and analytical structure of the verse points more to an adolescent or adult with a child-like stream of conscience, contemplating about his/her past and present.
Literary devices used also supports this thesis. The poem uses rhymes carefully for the first six lines, and follows an AA BB CC ED DE rhyme pattern. The bard was mindful of the rhyming in the first six lines, but wasn’t in the last four. The last four lines depict her great-aunt Etty’s friend leaving and her beads coming unstrung, as well as her epiphany of the irony of old age and youth. These thoughts and events became hectic, and the poet almost decided to abandon trying to find rhymes to convey these thoug...