Explication of To A Daughter Leaving Home by Linda Pastan

     In this poem, there is an interesting use of rhythm and meter. The lines are so short and enjambed but that is what truly embodies the message of the story. The speaker is a parent, imagining their child growing up and leaving home. This thought is provoked as they are teaching the eight year old daughter to ride a bicycle. To the parent, the daughter leaving home seems to happen in the blink of an eye
     There is a rhythm that is encountered by formatting the poem into such short lines. If this poem was turned into a prose piece of writing, the rhythm would be lost. Another literary device used is imagery, the parent describes the daughter's hair flapping behind her as she is riding the bike and compares it to a handkerchief waving goodbye. There is also an example of imagery when the speaker describes the awe she experiences when the daughters rides the two wheeler for the first time, "as you wobbled away/ on two round wheels/ my own mouth rounding/ in surprise". Although there is excitement for the little girl to learn a new skill, it is bittersweet for the parent as they realize this is just one step closer for their child leaving the home.