1. The speaker of the poem has power in a senior position-Remains
  2. The power of conflict that the war photographer sees-War Photographer
  3. War Photographer has a lot of responsibility – is compared to the priest
  4. Power of guilt in Remains, his life is dominated by the thought of killing the man
  5. Power of guilt in War Photographer
  6. Power of fear in Remains-he’s scared of what he’s done
  7. Power of authority in Remains-second guessed the man
  8. In Remains, the speaker is overpowered by his authority
  9. Power of memory in both poems.

 

  • “…The drink and drugs won’t flush him out-he’s here in my head when I close my eyes…”

Power of memory and guilt is shown here. The shooter tries to forget, in every way, but the memory is incredibly strong, that it cannot be forgotten.

  • “He has a job to do…”                       

This explains how feelings shouldn’t interfere with his job. This Aldo’s says that the War Photographer picked this job, and that he knew everything that came with the job, including risks etc. and that if you want to do a certain job

  • “His blood shadow stays on the street… I walk right over it week after week…”                                    

This shows how he is constantly reminded of the life he has taken away and that the past couldn’t be left behind him, he will not be able to forget what he had done.

  • “…A priest preparing to intone a Mass…”

This shows the importance of the role of the War Photographer, either for propaganda or shows the truth to the world. Either way, the company and the War Photographer see this process as sacred.

  • “…Belfast. Beirut. Phnom Pneh. All flesh is grass.”

The listing of countries followed by “…all flesh is grass” shows the extremity of the situation. Grass is compared to the vast number of dead bodies left to rot.