“Bearded Barley” is a poem written by Tacoma Community College professor Allen Braden. The speaker of this poem is an observer and the audience is made up of ordinary people or those who underestimate the barley plant. The poem goes into detail about the plant by describing its appearance, explaining how it is used, and highlighting why it is strong. The central idea of ​​this poem is to convince the reader that what may seem insignificant (barley) can, in fact, be significant. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To begin, in the first two couplets the poet uses visual imagery to describe what barley looks like as it grows. For example, Braden uses personification by describing the plant as “proud” to give a feeling of confidence in how it stands. He does this again in the second line "stretching" to describe the fact that he grows upright. The use of “arrow,” “wand,” and “whiskers” again helps create images in the reader's mind about what barley looks like. Finally, the use of the adjectives “thin,” “gold,” and “stiff” helps add clarity to the visual images through the poet's language. In the third couplet, the poet attempts to connect with the audience by using the pronouns “you” and “we.” Use second and first person point of view to try a more personal approach by referring to the audience as the barley itself. There is a contrast between what is needed for barley to grow (water, soil and light) and what it gives (summer magic). This demonstrates the plant's ability to transform something simple into something more complex. Pairs four, five and six continue to explain who uses barley, what it is used for and why it is important. Braden conveys a strong sense of reliability with his diction: “The millstone, the baker, / the slave, the pulpit, and the priest, / all send their regards” (7-9). It is obvious that the people he listed depend on barley for their livelihood because it is an important part of their occupations. It is then explained that the plant is used to build empires and that people pray for its safekeeping. This is a strong statement because it shows that people depend on it so much that they are willing to put their religious beliefs on the line. The continued use of second-person point of view draws the audience back in and allows them to feel emotionally connected. The tone of the rest of the poem seems to become fierce, intense, and powerful. The poet creates strong visual imagery: “When a storm in August / bends you to the ground” (13-14). A contrast is created between the new and the old: “under the teeth of the combine, / even the blade and the cradle of the scythe;” (15-16). This couplet reflects on the history of how barley is harvested, while also highlighting the strength of the plant itself. Braden also does this by emphasizing the mythical nature of barley: “Or when a tornado pushes you / goes through a telephone pole;” (17-18). Here the durability of the plant is once again underlined, but this time beyond measure. The seventh, eighth and ninth couplets are connected to the rest of the poem. In the last three couplets, Braden introduces the first-person point of view with the pronoun “I.” He does this in an attempt to complete the poem with the final relationship established with the audience (which he still calls the barley). He also does this by personifying the plant: “I could have sworn I saw you/Jumping on a train to the mill” (20-21). The barley is then described as “determined,” and the poet then alludes to the Bible: “determined to refine itself / until it becomes bread or angelic food / or perhaps even the body of Christ” (22-24). In these last lines the barley plant is compared to the body of Jesus Christ. It's easy.