This poem appears to be addressed to the poet's mother. She has been asked to help him `measure windows, pelmets and doors'. Significantly he has not asked for her help choose the pelmets or put them up. This quickly establishes that one of the poem's themes centres upon the desire for independence that all young people feel as they grow to adulthood. Nevertheless, the tone of the poem is affectionate. This is shown in the first word, `Mother'. If the son and his mother weren't so close he would have called her by her name as some do as they near independence. The poem also centres on the theme of success and failure; `to fall or fly'. The writer is uncertain whether growing further apart with his mother would mean a higher success in life or failure which is shown in the phrase `Anchor. Kite.' These two...