We Live by What We See at Night Study Guide & Plot Synopsis

We Live by What We See at Night Poem Summary

Preview of We Live by What We See at Night Summary:

Lines 1-2

These first lines of "We Live by What We See at Night" introduce the tropical island of Puerto Rico, though readers are not sure who the poet is speaking too; who the "you" is yet (later in the poem readers learn he is referring to his father). The mountains "flicker in your sleep," suggesting this person isn't in Puerto Rico anymore, but rather, dreaming about it.

Lines 3-4

Still referring to the mountains in the first lines, here the poet describes the lush Puerto Rican landscape. Note the combination of sensory details used here: not only does the poet describe the color of the mountains, but he also uses the word "moist," allowing readers to imagine the scene using touch as well, like the feeling of a moss-covered rock under their hand. By repeating the same color twice in two lines, the poet is perhaps trying to express the overwhelming sight...
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