1. Personification: The dog, the central figure of the poem, is personified as a sentient being with emotions and thoughts. The dog is portrayed as "watching over the grave," "remembering the past," and feeling both joy and sorrow.
2. Imagery: The poem creates vivid visual and sensory imagery through descriptive language. Phrases such as "the long, gray shadows," "the wind among the trees," "the chill of the night," and "the stars like distant eyes" help paint a vivid picture of the setting and atmosphere.
3. Symbolism: The poem uses symbolic elements to convey deeper meanings. The dog represents loyalty, companionship, and memories, while the grave symbolizes death, longing, and remembrance. The moon and stars suggest the passage of time and the enduring presence of the dog's memories.
4. Metaphor: The poem draws parallels between the dog's unwavering devotion and the constancy of the celestial bodies. The line "The moon and stars watch too, / Like faithful sentinels" likens the dog's vigil to the reliable presence of the moon and stars.
5. Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, particularly "w" and "l," adds musicality and emphasis to the poem. For instance, "watching over the grave," "wind among the trees," and "long, lonely vigil" all feature alliteration.
6. Enjambment: The poem frequently employs enjambment, running sentences across line breaks, to create a sense of continuity and flow. This technique helps maintain the poem's narrative and emotional momentum.
7. Figurative Language: The poem is rich in figurative language, including similes ("Like faithful sentinels") and metaphors. These comparisons enhance the emotional impact of the poem by drawing connections between the dog's experiences and universal human emotions.
Overall, these poetic devices work together to create a moving and evocative poem that explores themes of loyalty, grief, and the enduring power of memory.