The first stanza of the poem sets the scene with a description of the city streets filled with people rushing to get home from work. The poet uses the repetition of the word "six" to create a sense of rhythm and to emphasize the urgency of the moment.
In the second stanza, the poet uses a series of metaphors to compare the city to a jungle and a battlefield. This imagery conveys a sense of danger and chaos, but also a sense of excitement and energy.
The third stanza focuses on the people who are caught up in the rush hour crush. The poet uses a variety of similes to compare the people to animals and machines. This imagery emphasizes the dehumanizing effects of the city and the way that people can feel like they are just cogs in a giant machine.
The fourth stanza of the poem offers a moment of respite from the chaos of the city. The poet describes a man who stops to watch a group of children playing. This scene provides a contrast to the hectic pace of the city and a reminder of the simple pleasures in life.
In the poem's final stanza, the poet returns to the image of the city. He describes the city as a "monster" that is "swallowing" the people. This imagery conveys a sense of foreboding and suggests that the city is a dangerous place that could ultimately consume those who live in it.
Overall, "Six P.M." is a powerful poem that captures the essence of a city at the height of the evening rush hour. The poem uses a variety of poetic devices to create a sense of movement, urgency, and chaos. The poem also explores themes of dehumanization and the search for meaning in a modern, urban environment.