What metaphors are used in Monologue for an Onion by Sue Kwock Kim?

Kim uses metaphor liberally throughout Monologue for an Onion. The entire poem is a metaphor, with the onion representing anything that is pursued and destroyed as a means to an unattainable end. The person represents stubborn, relentless, and often misguided determination.

The layers of metaphor in Monologue for an Onion are deep. Within the context of Kim's work, it is appropriate to apply a reading of this poem as a metaphor for a people being savaged by their own rulers.