Point of View

The poem is told through the first-person point of view using the pronoun “I” from the perspective of a parent, most likely a father. Since this poem is known to draw from autobiographical experience, the point of view can be read as the voice of the poet himself. The first-person narration is apparent from the third line: “My daughter is writing a story” (Line 3) and the following line referring to the speaker: “I pause in the stairwell” (Line 4). Although the narrative focuses on the actions and journey of the daughter, it is really the speaker’s internal journey that is explored most evocatively; the father recognises his own limitations as a protector and the full life his daughter will have ahead of her.

Language and Meaning

While the speaker avoids complex and antiquated “poetic” language, they do express themselves through an extended metaphor with notable...