Identity in the poem, 'I Come From,' by Robert Seatter

I Come From by Robert Seatter

This poem illustrates a number of devices that can be used in poetry to explore the poet's, or the speaker's, identity.

Constant use of the word "I'' shows that the poem is centred on Seatter, his childhood memories, his past and more importantly, his identity. By using ''I come from,'' it is clear Seatter is publishing his identity by writing about the depths of his origins, and where he has come from in comparison to where he is today.

A stream of consciousness is evidently used (which is specific to Seatter) as the structure is loose, with only one large stanza in the form of free verse. To further this point, the structure could be like this to show he has an infinite amount of memories from his past that he wishes to share in this poem. Examples of the specificity to Seatter, the speaker, are the lines no-one can completely relate to: his "Shropshire grandma," "Chambers Etymological Dictionary," or his "rats behind the garage." However some structure is created with the repetitive, "I come from," at the beginning of 8 of the 30 lines. Enjambment is also used to show his way of mind, and that where he comes from has no beginning or end, like the hoop of life that never ends. This device also creates emphasis; specifically on the first line where at the end, is the word, "forever." This extends the word, as it makes the reader linger on the word, which puts into reality, to some extent, how long he had to wait for the train to London. Also, the final line had no end-stop, and is repetitive of the word "trains." As the poem began with a train to London, and finishes with “trains, trains, trains” it is made clear that it is a relevant, special part of his life. Focusing on the no end-sop, it could be symbolic of the fact that his life will go on and create more places he will, in time, come from; and more memories which will eventually be just as special to him.