|
Stanza One
|
||
|
Line no.
|
Line
|
Interpretation
|
|
1
|
What has happened to Lulu, mother?
|
The persona (the child)
is asking his/her mother about his/her older sister, Lulu.
|
|
2
|
What has happened to Lu?
|
The question is repeated
but using the name “Lu” (showing that the child and Lulu are very close)
|
|
3
|
There's nothing in her bed but an old rag-doll
|
Lulu is not in her bed.
Only her rag-doll is there
|
|
4
|
And by its side a shoe.
|
There is a shoe (Lulu’s)
by the side of the bed.
|
|
Stanza Two
|
||
|
Line no.
|
Line
|
Interpretation
|
|
1
|
Why is her window wide, mother,
|
The persona is asking
his/her mother about Lulu’s bedroom window that is wide open
|
|
2
|
The curtain flapping free,
|
The
curtain is moving because of the wind from the open window
|
|
3
|
And only a circle on the dusty shelf
|
Lulu’s
money-box is also missing (sign of a circle where the money-box was)
|
|
4
|
Where her money-box used to be?
|
|
|
Stanza Three
|
||
|
Line no.
|
Line
|
Interpretation
|
|
1
|
Why do you turn your head, mother,
|
The persona is asking
his/her mother why she turns her head away from him/her
|
|
2
|
And why do tear-drops fall?
|
He/She asks why mother is crying
|
|
3
|
And why do you crumple that note on the fire
|
Why does
his/her mother crumple
the note she is reading and throw it into the fire (in the fire place)
|
|
4
|
And say it is nothing at all?
|
The
mother simply says that there is nothing to worry about.
|
|
Stanza Four
|
||
|
Line no.
|
Line
|
Interpretation
|
|
1
|
I woke to voices late last night,
|
The persona tells
his/her mother that he/she woke up from his/her sleep because he/she heard
some people talking
|
|
2
|
I heard an engine roar.
|
He/She
also heard the sound of a vehicle at that time
|
|
3
|
Why do you tell me the things I heard
|
The persona is asking
his/her mother why she says what he/she heard were only in his/her dream
|
|
4
|
Were a dream and nothing more?
|
|
|
Stanza Five
|
||
|
Line no.
|
Line
|
Interpretation
|
|
1
|
I heard somebody cry, mother,
|
The persona tells
his/her mother that he/she also heard someone cry in anger or in pain
|
|
2
|
In anger or in pain,
|
|
|
3
|
But now I ask you why, mother,
|
But when he/she asks
his/her mother, she says it is just the sound of the rain.
|
|
4
|
You say it was a gust of rain.
|
|
|
Stanza Six
|
||
|
Line no.
|
Line
|
Interpretation
|
|
1
|
Why do you wander about as though
|
The persona is asking
his/her mother why she is walking or moving aimlessly as if she is nervous,
worried and in panic.
|
|
2
|
You don't know what to do?
|
|
|
3
|
What has happened to Lulu, mother?
|
Again, the persona is
asking his/her mother about Lulu.
|
|
4
|
What has happened to Lu?
|
The repeated question
shows that the child is really missing his/her sister / is worried about her
/ in confusion.
|
.
