Point of View

This poem is written in the third-person point of view using the pronoun “He”. The narration is primarily centered on a singular character’s experience, but occasionally expands to touch on other perspectives: “existing in spaces others pretend not to see” (Line 24). While the first stanza takes an external view, describing the man’s appearance, the second stanza becomes more intimate as it examines the experience of the man’s body. As the poem progresses, the reader sees more of this experience down to the blood, pain, and hunger. The arrangement of perspectives allows the reader to understand both the inner world of the character and the outer world that reacts negatively to his presence.

Language and Meaning

The language in this free verse contemporary poem is largely straightforward and accessible, with few moments to challenge the average reader. Even though the poet assembles the...