An echo in poetry refers to the repetition of particular sounds, syllables, words, phrases, or lines. It can be used for various reasons, among them intensifying rhythm and emphasizing meaning. In Not like a Cypress, echoes are used throughout, beginning with the first line. The concept of not like begins the first three stanzas, tying the poem together linguistically and rhythmically. Answering not like is another repetitive concept, but like, which introduces the contrasting images.