Harvard Bridge

In the poem "Elegy: Boston," the Harvard Bridge is a symbol of transition. The speaker is physically situated in the middle of the bridge. He is thus standing exactly over the water. Meanwhile, he is thinking about an old lover, trying to let him go. In this way, the author uses the bridge to reify the speaker's emotional work to move beyond the old lover.

The Haymarket

In the poem "The Haymarket," the Haymarket is a symbol of memory. While here, the speaker is repeatedly transported into the past. His surroundings remind him of his former life, and thus transport him into such scenes.

Cities

Throughout the collection, the author's recurring allusions to American cities symbolize American culture. In some of the poems, the cities are represented as peaceful places for connection and expression. In others, the cities are more abrasive, defined by violence and...