or press an ear against its hive.
-- Speaker (Line 4)

Importance: This image alludes to a beehive, a miniature world filled with activity. In contemporary vernacular, a “hive” is often used to refer to a busy area that’s constantly in motion. Here, the speaker is implying that there is a complex undercurrent within the poem with more to discover than might initially be expected. They encourage their students and the reader to explore the mechanics and emotional impact of the word they’re studying. Notably, a beehive is also a space of creation that can also present dangers to the outside world, much like literature itself.

walk inside the poem’s room / and feel the walls for a light switch.
-- Speaker (Lines 7-8)

Importance: Contrary to the above image, this moment encourages students to fully immerse themselves in the poem’s inner world. This line directly alludes to the idea of finding illumination in the piece of...