- Repetition: This stylistic technique is used throughout the poem to reinforce ideas, create rhythm, and emphasize certain words and phrases. For instance, the repetition of the word "fence" reinforces the central image and concept of the poem, while the repeated phrase "I stood" adds a sense of determination and persistence.
- Metaphor: The poem heavily employs metaphors to convey intricate ideas and comparisons. One example is the comparison of the fence to an "umbilical cord," suggesting a deep and intimate connection between the speaker and the land. Another instance is when the speaker refers to the fence as "the barbed wire of a thousand memories," evoking a sense of emotional pain and the weight of the past.
- Personification: In the poem, the speaker attributes human qualities to the fence, giving it agency and voice. By referring to the fence as having a "voice" that is both "loud" and "silent," the speaker endows the object with a sense of power and influence, making it more than just a physical barrier.
- Imagery: The poem is rich in vivid imagery that helps create a sensory and emotional experience for the reader. Descriptions such as "the sun beat down on our heads like a thousand fists" and "the wind whispered through the tall grasses like a million voices" evoke strong feelings and help bring the setting to life.
- Alliteration: This poetic device is used to create a sense of rhythm, musicality, and emphasis through the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of neighboring words. For example, the repetition of "l" in the phrase "loud and silent voice of authority" adds a dynamic effect and reinforces the significance of the fence's presence.