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Papa's Waltz Literary Devices

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"Papa's Waltz" is a poem written in 1948 by the award-winning poet, Theodore Roethke. This poem tells the story of a father and son's physical bond, which is often interpreted as a metaphor for the emotional connection between the two.

The poem begins with a description of the father and son dancing together. The father's "thick palms" and "battered knuckles" show his hardworking nature, while the "right hand" with which he holds his son reflects the nurturing and protective embrace of a parent. The waltz also serves as a metaphor for the father's love, with the "palm's on [the son's] neck" conveying a sense of security and comfort.

The imagery used throughout the poem also conveys a sense of peace and harmony. The father and the son
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