The Coming on of Night

Poets often use metaphor to discuss topics that are abstract. In the case of this poem, the speaker uses metaphors like the pilot light to talk about the abstract concept of “ambition” (Line 1), showing how it “sputters” (Line 2). She uses verbs associated with fire like “fiery” in “fiery /eccentricities” (Lines 5-6), “inextinguishable” (Line 7), “faded” (Line 7), and “snuffed out” (Line 8) to continue that metaphor of the drive of life being like a fire. The sunlight of daytime is also part of the metaphorical framework of this poem. Daytime/life extinguishes night/death.

Metaphors are made up of imagery. The imagery in this poem includes the pilot light, darkness, evensong, and clocks. With the exception of “evensong” (Line 10), the rest of the uses of imagery are distinctly domestic, that is they are items an average person would find in their home. This poem is not for a special group of people but for everyone. On the converse, the imagery of “darkness” (Line 8) and “evensong” (Line 10) suggests that death is a part of nature, perhaps a respite from the mundanity of everyday living.