Explication of Published Poem 3

This is an example of an elegy. Because it is so, the poem is very formal and written in honour of someone who has passed away. In this case the poem is an extended metaphor for the death of Abraham Lincoln.  The poet, Walt Whitman refers to the term "ship" in this poem, which is a symbol of the U.S.A While it recalls the troubles of the American Civil War. In this poem i especially enjoyed the Assonance in line 3, and the repetition of "heart" in line 5. Other literary devices included are personification and metaphors. Although this poem refers to Abraham Lincoln's death, i thought it would be suitable under my theme of war since the first time i read it, i pictured a real captain dying on a ship in someones hands. The poem also refers to the American Civil War which gives the war like image.