My Father Percived as a Vision of St. Francis

Frightened me out of a dream

Meehan abruptly awoken. Transports reader into the poem

I heard him rake the ash from the grate

Sensuous language & father’s routine is familiar contrasts the abrupt awakening of Meehan

Autumn was nearly done

Reference to the seasons and the cycle of life. Winter beginning is a metaphor for death - her father is ageing

He was older than I had reckoned

She notices he’s more frail

Birds of every size, shape, colour

Powerful imagery, scene is filled with colour and action. Contrasts the feeling of emptiness and death brought on by the mentioning of winter

The garden was a pandemonium

Rich of life & father brings order to the chaos

He was suddenly radiant, a perfect vision of St Francis

Metaphor - Meehan links her father with St Francis. The fear of his aging diminishes and the power of nature transforms ordinary into extraordinary