The poet is horrified by the way he appears in the mirror, the way he sees himself: "a stranger" with a "smile that is not mine," and "eyes that do not look at me." This reflects his alienation from his own identity and his fear of being trapped in a world that has lost its humanity.
The poetic device used here is personification, where the poet gives human qualities to his reflection. The reflection has "a smile that is not mine," and "eyes that do not look at me," which suggests that his reflection is a separate entity, almost a different person. This adds to the unsettling and frightening experience of seeing himself in the mirror.
Here's a breakdown of how this personification enhances the meaning:
* Alienation: It highlights the deep sense of alienation and disconnection the poet feels. The reflection, a supposed representation of himself, is now a stranger.
* Loss of Self: It emphasizes the loss of the poet's own identity, as he can no longer recognize himself in the mirror.
* Fear of the Unknown: It creates a sense of fear and unease as the poet confronts a distorted image of himself, making him wonder who this "stranger" is.
By personifying his reflection, Okara makes his poem more powerful and thought-provoking. He uses this poetic device to explore the themes of alienation, identity, and the fear of losing one's humanity in a rapidly changing world.