Mid-term Break at first glance, appears to be a fairly simple and direct poem, in the way that (at first) it seems emotionless and has a childlike quality and feel; but as you read, you notice various elements and techniques that Heaney subtly incorporated into the poem to make you think differently. Indeed, this poem is very intelligently written and is extremely emotional. Heaney uses a number of really effective techniques. Since there is no rhyme and lack of rhythm, the poem flows more and seems more natural, enjambement also makes the poem flow easily between lines and stanzas. Onomatopoeias are used to express emotions throughout poetry; such as “cooing,” “whispering,” “coughing,” and “knocking.” The use of these words seems to give the poem a definite and unobtrusive sound. The theme and tone of “Half-Term Break” expressed simplistically (but with close attention to detail) reflects the boy's voice. The title plays a role in revealing the main theme; death. At first the reader thinks that the title “mid-term break” is deliberately misleading to the affections, but if you look at it more carefully it has another meaning. “Mid-term”, or in the middle. So the title means that the boy's life was broken, he died in the middle of his life. He died too young. The midterm break opens with a boy "Sitting in the college infirmary"; the reader assumes that the boy speaking is sick, "Counting the lessons on his knees until the end." Immediately we are introduced to the theme of death, with the death knell being a funeral bell, this begins to give the poem a somber tone, as the reader can hear the bell in their head. It is also as if “lessons end” is the boy's life coming to an end. The first verse is particularly effective... halfway through the paper... and from one day to the next it became more peaceful and relaxed. A lot of light/color imagery was used in this half, for example “snowdrops,” “candles,” and “paler.” Together with these words, the fact that he says “I went up” makes the atmosphere heavenly and pure. Even though dead the boy is portrayed as angelic and perfect, as there are no scars. “He has a poppy bruise on his left temple.” This places emphasis on how the boy's death was unnatural and therefore unjust; for the “poppy” is associated with war, with soldiers, with young soldiers too young to die! At the end of the poem the boy says “A four foot box, one foot for each year”. This is an excellent ending. It's shocking because he's very blunt and straight to the point. The fact that it rhymes with the previous line means that it stays in the readers' heads, haunting them. Works Cited Half Term Break by Seamus Heaney