At the same time perhaps 'I' assumes the role of Biblical prophet. It highlights the special shadow of omnipotent dictatorship of nature's rule. In this particular poem, again and again the poetic persona encompasses multiple voices from the past innumerous adventures like - father swimming across Mississippi holding his son's shirt in his teeth, placing Mary on his back and finally reaching safe harbor. Mary's concern not only with individualism and her family but also with the religious and political significance gives an opportunity, to a serious reader, of going through the darkness of human history. Touching and trying to lift the sword, as tall as Mary only to be unable to lift it up has really been an event of childish innocence, with soundlessly strong antipathy against war, has made the poem universally touchy here from a child's view.
War is page one photographs of POWs, orphans.
War is my mother's great uncle's cavalry sword, standing in the corner of my cousins' house in Tennessee. My grandmother takes me on visits to see these cousins. I see and touch, gingerly, the big sword in its brass scabbard. It is as tall as I am, it stands ready in the corner, waiting for the hero's return. I try to lift it, and cannot.