* Metaphor: The chalk itself serves as a metaphor for the speaker's life, its fragility and fleeting nature. This is highlighted in lines like "The chalk is a thin white line, / A brittle, delicate thing" and "A snap, a crack, a dust cloud rises..."
* Imagery: The poem is rich in visual imagery, painting a vivid picture of the chalk, the board, and the classroom setting. Lines like "The chalk is a thin white line, / A thin white line on the black board" and "The dust settles, leaving behind / A faint ghost of a white line" create strong visual impressions.
* Symbolism: Chalk, traditionally associated with education and knowledge, is a powerful symbol. It represents the speaker's own learning, their own existence, and the fleeting nature of both.
* Personification: The chalk is given a voice, a sense of agency, which adds to its symbolic power. Lines like "The chalk cries out, / A sharp, brittle cry" imbue the chalk with a feeling of pain and vulnerability.
* Alliteration: The poem uses alliteration to create a musical effect and emphasize certain words. For example, "The chalk cries out, / A sharp, brittle cry" uses alliteration in "chalk cries" and "sharp, brittle."
* Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds, as in "The chalk is a thin white line," creates a sense of fluidity and movement.
* Repetition: The repetition of phrases like "a thin white line" emphasizes the fragility and fleeting nature of the chalk, and therefore the speaker's life.
These are just some of the key literary devices employed in "Chalk." The poem's brevity and simplicity allow these devices to have a powerful impact on the reader, creating a haunting and evocative experience.