 Studying winter swans by owenshers. Here's how you can analyse this poem. In terms of structure, the poem is written in seven stanzas, however the first six stanzas are terseps and the final is a couplet. The poem opens with pathetic fallacy which signals that the lovers in this poem are having a difficult time in their relationship. The alliteration of W hair shows that the lovers are considering whether this should break up. The earth is personified as gulping for breath and the personification here shows that their relationship is fighting for its life. They see swans and this is symbolic of them in a relationship. The simile and enjambement in line nine shows that the swans are teaching the lovers a lesson about being together. This simile shows the importance of being unified and staying together. The dialogue here shows the speaker's lover reflects on how it's important they stay together. The sibilance in slow stepping, shingle and sand shows that the lovers realise that they want to stay together. The poem then moves from being a tersept to being a couplet showing that they've decided to stay together.