Elements of Love

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diction. In addition, the contrast sets a tone for the reader to enter the poem mindful, emotionally mindful. The poem commences with a statement: "The next day, I am almost afraid" (l.1). Olds uses "almost" instead of "I am" to suggest that she is consciously aware of the effect last night had on her, yet she does not fully understand the effects which is precisely why she is "almost" instead of being afraid. Directly following is this statement, "Love?" (l. 2). This statement further proves the previous days experience caused her to ponder and question the act of love itself which the reader understands given the context and punctuation. Olds uses a metaphor to explain the experience: "It was more like dragonflies in the sun, 100 degrees at noon," (ll. 2-3). Descriptive imagery in this line allows the reader to visualize and imagine such circumstances which become vivid to readers because we can all relate to hot temperatures which at times can be from pleasure or can be ...

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