"Those Winter Sundays"- Imagery

In the poem "Those Winter Sundays" by Robert Hayden, imagery is used throughout the poem. Throughout the course of the poem, different kinds of imagery are used. In the beginning of the poem, imagery is used to describe a dark and cold moment. "My father got up early and put his clothes on the blueblack cold, then cracked hands that ached from labor" (Hayden, 781). The use of imagery in the first stanza of the poem allows for the reader to really see the tone of the situation. The tone was dark and painful misery. Another form of imagery is seen in the poem, but this time it is to display the admiration and respect that he has for his father. "When the rooms were warm, he'd call, and slowly I would rise and dress" (Hayden, 78). The imagery creates a picture for the reader of a father who is working hard to provide for his family. He spends his time working to create not only actual warmth, but a sense of warmth in the household. Imagery is used throughout the course of the poem to display both cold and dark imagery and compassion and respectful imagery.