Simile:
* "Brute beauty of the world, the bare" (Line 1): Comparing the world to a "brute beauty," emphasizing its raw, unrefined nature.
* "As a flash of lightning" (Line 6): Likening the bird's movement to the swift and brilliant flash of lightning.
Metaphor:
* "Buckle" (Line 2): Implies a physical force holding the bird's wings in place, symbolizing the power of God's creation.
* "Ride" (Line 2): The bird is presented as a rider, suggesting a sense of control and mastery over the air.
* "Dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon" (Line 3): A complex metaphorical image, highlighting the bird's swiftness and its connection to the break of dawn. The "dapple" suggests a pattern of light and shade, further emphasizing the bird's graceful movement.
* "His riding of the air" (Line 5): The bird's flight is not simply flying, but a deliberate and masterful "riding."
* "His heart... a shield" (Line 11): A powerful image suggesting the bird's intense focus and dedication, as if its very heart were a protective shield.
Personification:
* "The windhover" (Line 1): Giving the bird a human-like quality, suggesting an awareness and intentionality in its flight.
* "The air... sways" (Line 12): The air is depicted as having a life of its own, responding to the bird's movement.
Imagery:
* "Brute beauty" (Line 1): Evokes a sense of raw, unrefined power.
* "Flash of lightning" (Line 6): Creates a vivid visual and emotional impact.
* "His heart... a shield" (Line 11): A powerful image suggesting dedication and focus.
Other Figures of Speech:
* Alliteration: "Buckle" and "bare" (Line 2), "Ride" and "riding" (Lines 2 and 5), "Dapple-dawn-drawn" (Line 3) – these create a musical effect and emphasize the bird's movement.
* Assonance: "Ride" and "riding" (Lines 2 and 5) – creating a sense of flow and rhythm.
These figures of speech work together to create a complex and beautiful poem that celebrates the natural world and explores themes of beauty, power, and the divine.