Everyone has dealt with difficult times, which can accurately be described as "dark times" or "inner storms". In the poem “Storm Warnings,” Adrienne Rich arranges the poem's main statement at the center of the poem to mimic the buildup and aftermath of a real storm, provide division between its external and internal storm, and process the futility of warnings. His organization of the poem's focal point is important, as it is purposely placed in the center. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay If we look at the first two stanzas, he uses imagery to paint a picture of his setting. With “Glass has been falling all afternoon” and “gray riots are moving across the land” (Rich, line 4). For these quotes, the author describes her storm-stricken environment. What typically happens when a storm comes, then the buildup of it. Then we see her make her main statement at the end of the second verse. “Time abroad and time in the heart occur regardless of prediction” (Rich, line 13). It is in this verse that the author first mentions a metaphorical storm, a storm in the heart. He chose to place this change in tone in the middle of the poem to mimic the events of a real storm. In the second half of the poem, the author moved on to her actions after seeing the storm coming. He prepares himself and goes into defense mode to protect himself. “I draw the curtain as the sky turns black” (Rich, line 21). This no longer describes the beginning of the storm, but rather the aftermath. The first and second stanzas depict a storm, in the literal sense, while the third and fourth stanzas depict both a literal and internal storm. He begins the poem by describing his storm-stricken surroundings. Rich leaves his chair to look outside as signs of the storm become visible. “Watching the branches stretch out against the sky” (Rich, line 7). This is a literal storm because it describes the storm's effects on external, tangible things like the sky. However, in the second half of the poem, we see the author using a metaphorical meaning of protection from evil: “We can only close the shutters” (Rich, line 22). This statement indicates the helplessness and feeling of hopelessness that Rich and the others feel when they realize that they cannot do much to stop the storm. Rich also points out the futility of warnings when it comes to averting storms. When talking about internal storms, Rich makes it clear that many people try to avoid change even if it's not something people can control. A storm will come, no matter how cautious you are. : “The weather abroad […] lights up regardless of the forecast” (Rich, line 13-14). Rich says that if the storm is predicted to come, it will come, and if not, it will come anyway. Not knowing doesn't stop him from getting closer. This applies to both a literal storm and an internal storm. There are some who try to avoid any changes in their lives for fear of chaos, creating a false feeling of control over their personal and internal storms. However, as Rich states, “time in hand is not control of time” (Rich, line 18). This is a metaphor for a clock, meaning the measurement of time, but just because you can measure time doesn't mean you control it. Likewise, during an external storm, no one has control of the weather, and in someone's personal life, no one has control over the changes that will occur afterward. The author also mentions the skills acquired from previous storms, from.