themes

Themes may be prominent topics or ideas which come to mind as a direct result of reading the poem. 

A theme might be directly expressed or implied by a poem.  For example, a poem might not describe or directly name its theme, but the overall effect of reading the poem might suggest a prominent theme.

Many poets over the years have written on the theme of mutability: the way things constantly change.  

Another example of a popular theme in poetry is that of the fickleness of people in love: one day someone might be in love, but the next day their feelings have moved on.

In the world of poetry, there are as many themes as there are human experiences.  Your job in your answer is to explore the theme or themes in the poem in front of you, and to look at how the poet handles that theme.

The themes in a poem, then, are the main things that the poem makes you think about.  Be bold and clear in discussing them in your answer.

As you write about your poem, identify and explore the important theme(s) which the poem presents.