In her room at the prow of the house / Where light breaks
-- Speaker (Lines 1-2)

Importance: This opening line establishes the setting and the overarching extended metaphor of the house as a ship on the sea. The image of “light breaking” mimics the image of waves breaking against a ship’s prow as it moves forward, giving the static scene a sense of momentum. The “light” here can also be read as symbolic of creative inspiration and hope.

Young as she is, the stuff / Of her life is a great cargo
-- Speaker (Lines 7-8)

Importance: Continuing the metaphor of a ship, this line references the commodity “cargo” that freights and merchant ships would carry to other countries. Here, the cargo is an accumulation of experiences, memories, aspirations, and beliefs. The speaker acknowledges that even though these experiences are still limited, the daughter has a broad sense of self to offer the world through her art.

A stillness greatens...
-- Speaker (Lines 12-13)