Thesis: Through a first person speaker, Collins uses language, imagery and form to convey his theme of lonely, one-sided love.
Introduction First person speaker Failing relationship Speaker still in love Language and Imagery “boat rides” etc “sometimes” and “more often than not” Form and Rhyme Free verse Occasional slant rhyme 5. Conclusion “The Breather” by Billy Collins is an interesting poem which conveys the theme of lonely love. Not that many poems cover the darker, isolated side of love, and this could be partly what makes this poem so memorable. Collins uses a seemingly mild-mannered, pensive speaker to narrate the poem, which creates a contemplative, conversational tone for the reader. Conversational language and imagery are also noticeable throughout, allowing ...
