I Believe – Poem Summary & Analysis

In Short

• The poem is an inspirational work by Brucellish K Sangma, an Indian woman poet from Meghalaya representing the Garo tribe
• The poem was originally written in the Garo language and translated into English by the poet herself
• The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing exactly three lines (18 lines total)
• Each stanza is written as a single sentence, creating compact units of meaning
• The first five stanzas begin with "I believe," establishing a positive keynote of self-confidence and faith
• The final stanza begins with "But I firmly believe," introducing a qualification and reality check
• In the first stanza, the poet believes if she throws a pebble upwards, she can pierce the heavens and see angels at play, symbolizing reaching unattainable goals
• In the second stanza, the poet believes she can soar to heights, touch silky clouds, and feel stars, representing aspiration and achievement
• In the third stanza, the poet believes she can dive into ocean depths and swim with sharks, symbolizing facing life's struggles and challenges
• In the fourth stanza, the poet believes she can dig into the earth's belly and find priceless gems to adorn herself, representing discovering hidden potential and talent
• In the fifth stanza, the poet believes she can do many things amidst "human angels" and surrounded by "world's treasures," suggesting potential for greatness through inspiration and community
• The final stanza asserts the poet must first complete the role assigned to her in her homeland where she dreams and breathes, emphasizing duty and responsibility
• The poem celebrates human potential, limitless aspirations, and the power of self-belief to achieve seemingly impossible goals
• The poem also teaches that individual ambitions must be balanced with social and personal responsibilities
• The poem is inspirational and motivational, encouraging readers to believe in themselves while fulfilling their earthly duties
• Symbolism throughout the poem represents different dimensions of human achievement and struggle

I Believe – Line by Line Analysis

Stanza I (Lines 1-3): The Pebble and the Heavens

I believe if a pebble is thrown upwards
I can pierce the heavens
And see the angels at play

The opening line immediately establishes the poem's central assertion: "I believe." This first-person perspective emphasizes self-confidence and faith in one's own abilities. The repetition of "I believe" throughout the poem creates a powerful, incantatory effect that reinforces the theme of self-conviction.

"If a pebble is thrown upwards" presents a humble, simple image. A pebble is small, ordinary, seemingly insignificant. Yet the poet imagines this tiny object thrown skyward. The pebble symbolizes human desires and efforts—small beginnings that can lead to great achievements. The upward trajectory represents aspiration, the desire to reach higher, to improve oneself and achieve lofty goals.

"I can pierce the heavens" extends the metaphor. To "pierce" means to break through, to penetrate a barrier. The heavens traditionally represent the unreachable, the divine, the impossible. The poet asserts that through determination and effort, she can break through barriers that appear insurmountable. This suggests that what seems impossible can be achieved through faith and effort.

"And see the angels at play" completes the image with a sense of wonder and spiritual achievement. Angels represent purity, goodness, divinity, and the unattainable. By seeing them "at play," the poet suggests that she can achieve not merely survival but joy and transcendence. "Play" suggests lightness, happiness, and freedom—the ultimate reward for piercing through limitations.

This first stanza establishes the poem's fundamental belief: limitations exist only in the mind, and through self-belief and effort, humans can transcend apparent boundaries and achieve the unattainable.

Stanza II (Lines 4-6): Soaring and Touching Stars

I believe I can soar to the heights
Touch the silky clouds
And feel the stars

"I believe I can soar to the heights" uses the verb "soar," which suggests flying with grace and ease. Soaring implies freedom from earthly constraints, the ability to rise above limitations. "Heights" represents success, achievement, elevated positions in life. The poet asserts she can achieve the highest aspirations.

"Touch the silky clouds" introduces tactile imagery. "Silky" emphasizes the softness and beauty of clouds—ethereal, delicate, beautiful. Touching them suggests making contact with the ethereal and transcendent. Clouds traditionally represent dreams, aspirations, and the boundary between earth and heaven. The poet believes she can touch these dreams, making them tangible and real.

"And feel the stars" extends the sensory experience. Stars represent hope, guidance, aspiration, and the distant unreachable. To "feel" them suggests intimate contact with what seems impossibly distant. The stars also represent achievement and excellence—to reach star status, to become exceptional.

This stanza reiterates the first stanza's message with different imagery, suggesting that reaching heights, touching transcendent beauty, and experiencing the unattainable are all possible through self-belief. The repeated "I believe" at the stanza's beginning reinforces the centrality of faith in self-achievement.

Stanza III (Lines 7-9): Diving and Swimming with Sharks

I believe I can dive
Right into the depths
And swim with the sharks

"I believe I can dive" shifts the imagery from ascending to descending. If the previous stanzas focused on reaching heights, this stanza addresses depths—the opposite direction. "Dive" suggests plunging downward into water, typically darker and more dangerous than the sky.

"Right into the depths" emphasizes going deep, exploring the unknown, descending into difficult situations. "Depths" can be literal (ocean depths) or metaphorical (depths of challenge, struggle, or the human psyche). The poet believes she can navigate these dangerous, unknown territories.

"And swim with the sharks" introduces predatory danger. Sharks are among nature's most formidable predators, representing threats, challenges, and obstacles. "Swimming with sharks" is idiomatic for surviving dangerous situations or facing formidable opponents. The poet asserts she can not merely survive but move comfortably among dangers and threats.

This stanza introduces a crucial dimension: the poet doesn't only believe in ascending to transcendent heights; she also believes she can descend into and navigate the darkest, most challenging territories. This represents the complete spectrum of human experience—both aspiration and struggle. The poet's faith encompasses both transcendence and the ability to face hardship.

Stanza IV (Lines 10-12): Clawing Into the Earth

I believe I can claw into the earth's belly
Pick up the priceless gems
And adorn myself with them

"I believe I can claw into the earth's belly" uses violent, aggressive language. "Claw" suggests scratching, tearing, forcing one's way. "Earth's belly" is a visceral, bodily metaphor for the earth's interior. Unlike peaceful digging, clawing suggests fierce determination and effort necessary to penetrate hidden places.

"Earth's belly" represents the hidden depths of the earth, where precious things lie buried. Buried resources—gold, gems, minerals—are hidden beneath the surface. Metaphorically, this represents discovering hidden talents within oneself, exploring the depths of human potential, finding and utilizing resources that are not immediately visible.

"Pick up the priceless gems" suggests that within these depths exist treasures of immense value. "Priceless" means invaluable—their worth cannot be measured in mere money. The gems represent the invaluable things we discover within ourselves or in life through exploration and effort. These might be talents, skills, wisdom, spiritual gifts, or personal growth.

"And adorn myself with them" indicates that once discovered, these gems should be displayed, celebrated, and worn proudly. "Adorn" means to make beautiful and impressive. The poet will not hide her discoveries but will use them to beautify herself and present her best self to the world.

This stanza emphasizes self-discovery and the development of hidden potential. The poet believes that within herself lie priceless resources waiting to be discovered, and that once found, these should be cultivated and displayed with pride.

Stanza V (Lines 13-15): Amidst Human Angels

I believe I can do many things
Amidst the human angels
Surrounded by the world's treasures

"I believe I can do many things" generalizes and expands the previous specific beliefs into a broader assertion of unlimited capability. "Many things" suggests not particular accomplishments but virtually unlimited potential for achievement. This represents the cumulative effect of all previous beliefs: the poet possesses the capacity for numerous achievements across many domains.

"Amidst the human angels" introduces a crucial concept: humans themselves are angels. Earlier, the poet spoke of heavenly angels as transcendent beings. Here, she recognizes that humans—real people living ordinary lives—are themselves angelic. This elevates human nature and dignity. "Amidst" suggests being surrounded by, in community with, inspired by these human angels. The poet's potential is not achieved in isolation but in community with inspiring, excellent people.

"Surrounded by the world's treasures" extends the image of abundance. The world contains treasures—beautiful things, valuable things, inspiring things. The poet is surrounded by these, able to access and benefit from the world's richness. "World's treasures" can refer to natural beauty, cultural achievements, human wisdom, or material resources. The poet has access to all these sources of inspiration and potential.

This stanza emphasizes that individual achievement occurs within community. We are not isolated; we are surrounded by inspiring people (human angels) and the world's abundance. Our potential is realized through relationship with others and access to the world's resources and beauty.

Stanza VI (Lines 16-18): The Role Assigned

But I firmly believe I've to complete
The role assigned to me here
Where I dream and breathe

The final stanza shifts tone significantly. The word "But" marks a transition from assertions about what the poet can achieve to a reality check about what she must do. The change from "I believe" to "I firmly believe" intensifies the conviction, suggesting a deeper, more grounded certainty about this final point.

"I've to complete the role assigned to me here" introduces responsibility and duty. While the previous stanzas emphasized unlimited potential and aspiration, this line asserts that the poet has specific responsibilities in her current situation. "The role assigned to me" suggests duties determined by her circumstances, family, society, or personal situation. "Here" specifies the location—this place, this homeland, this community where she actually lives.

"Where I dream and breathe" identifies the location as her homeland—the place where she dreams her dreams and lives her daily life. "Breathe" suggests the fundamental nature of this place; it is where she exists, where her life unfolds. This line emphasizes rootedness in a specific community and place, not abstract universal aspirations.

This final stanza qualifies the entire poem's message. Yes, humans possess unlimited potential and can achieve great things. But this potential must be realized within the context of our actual lives, our actual communities, and our actual responsibilities. The stanza teaches that ambition must be balanced with duty, that universal aspiration must be grounded in particular commitment to one's place and role.

This stanza is particularly significant given Sangma's context: as a woman from a tribal community in Meghalaya, she faced specific social constraints. While she believes in unlimited human potential, she also recognizes that this potential must be realized within her actual circumstances. The message is nuanced: believe in yourself and unlimited possibility, but also embrace and excel in your assigned role.

I Believe – Word Notes

Pebble: A small stone made smooth by water or sand. Represents small, humble beginnings that can lead to great achievements; the initial effort required for accomplishment.

Pierce: To break through; to penetrate. Suggests overcoming barriers and obstacles that appear to separate the possible from the impossible.

Heavens: The sky; traditionally the abode of God and angels. Represents the transcendent, the unreachable, the divine, the impossible-seeming goals.

Angels: Divine beings in religious tradition; represent purity, goodness, spiritual excellence, and the unattainable ideal.

Soar: To fly high; to rise upward with grace and freedom. Represents achievement, ascension, reaching high goals without struggling against gravity.

Heights: The highest points; elevated positions. Represent success, achievement, the topmost goals and aspirations.

Silky: Smooth, soft, and luxurious like silk. Describes the tender beauty and ethereal quality of clouds; suggests pleasant, beautiful experience.

Clouds: Water vapor floating in the sky; traditionally represent dreams, aspirations, the boundary between earth and heaven, transient beauty.

Stars: Celestial bodies; represent hope, guidance, distant aspirations, and exemplary excellence or achievement.

Dive: To plunge downward, typically into water. Represents descending into challenge, exploring unknown dangers, taking risks.

Depths: The deepest parts; in oceans, the dark unknown regions where pressure and danger are greatest. Represent challenges, difficulties, the subconscious, hidden dangers.

Sharks: Large predatory fish; represent powerful dangers, formidable opponents, threatening obstacles that must be faced with courage.

Claw: To scratch or tear with nails or claws; suggests fierce, determined effort to penetrate or break through.

Belly: The stomach area; "earth's belly" is a visceral metaphor for the earth's interior, where precious resources lie hidden.

Gems: Precious stones; represent valuable, beautiful, invaluable things. Metaphorically represent talents, skills, wisdom, spiritual gifts discovered within.

Priceless: So valuable that worth cannot be determined; invaluable. Describes things of immense worth beyond monetary value.

Adorn: To make beautiful or impressive; to decorate with ornaments. Suggests displaying and celebrating one's best qualities and achievements.

Many things: Unlimited achievements and accomplishments. Represents the breadth of human potential across numerous domains.

Human angels: Humans who embody angelic qualities—goodness, excellence, inspiration. Recognizes human potential for transcendence and greatness.

Treasures: Valuable, precious things; can be material, cultural, or spiritual. Represents the world's beauty, wisdom, and resources available to humanity.

Firmly believe: Strong, grounded conviction beyond mere opinion. The intensified certainty about responsibility and duty.

Role assigned: The specific part, function, or responsibility given by circumstance, society, family, or position. Represents duty and obligation.

Here: This place, this location. Represents one's actual community, homeland, the specific place where one lives and belongs.

Dream and breathe: Represents the fundamental reality of one's existence in a place; where one's daily life and aspirations unfold.

Publication

"I Believe" by Brucellish K Sangma is the English title of a poem originally written in the Garo language titled "Anga Berbera." Sangma herself translated the poem from Garo to English, as she has done for several of her poems.

The poem has become widely anthologized and studied in Indian schools and universities, particularly in programs focusing on Indian literature in English and contemporary women poets. It appears in numerous collections of inspirational poetry and poetry by women writers.

The poem gained particular popularity in educational settings because of its accessible language, universal appeal, and inspirational message. Teachers use the poem to motivate students and to explore themes of self-belief, potential, and responsibility.

Since publication, "I Believe" has been frequently quoted, referenced, and discussed in educational contexts. Videos explaining and analyzing the poem have been created and shared on platforms like YouTube, indicating the poem's continued relevance and impact.

The poem's popularity reflects its universal applicability: readers from any background, facing any challenge, can find inspiration in Sangma's assertion of unlimited human potential. The poem's message transcends cultural, linguistic, and temporal boundaries.

Context

Brucellish K Sangma (1925-1999) was a significant Indian woman poet from Meghalaya representing the Garo tribe, an indigenous people living in the Garo hills. The "K" in her name stands for "Koksi," apparently her clan name, and "Sangma" is her family surname common among the Garo people.

Sangma was born and lived in Meghalaya, India's northeastern state known for its diverse tribal communities. Despite growing up with limited educational resources, Sangma acquired substantial education and became an accomplished poet, educationist, and thinker. She represents the successful woman from a tribal minority background who overcame social constraints to become an intellectual and cultural figure.

Her poetry, originally composed in the Garo language, was translated into English by Sangma herself. This act of translation was significant: it represented her effort to communicate with a broader Indian and international audience, to preserve Garo culture and language while engaging with larger literary conversations in English.

Sangma emerged as a literary figure during post-independence India (after 1947), when Indian literature in English was establishing itself as a significant cultural force. She contributed to Indian women's poetry in English at a time when few voices from tribal communities appeared in mainstream Indian literature.

The final stanza of "I Believe" should be understood in the context of Sangma's actual experience as a woman from a tribal minority community. While she believed in unlimited human potential and universal aspiration, she also recognized the specific constraints and responsibilities that her gender, culture, and community position created. The poem reflects not merely abstract universal belief but a nuanced understanding that unlimited potential must be realized within particular social and historical circumstances.

Post-independence India emphasized modernization, education, and individual achievement. Simultaneously, traditional social structures, patriarchal values, and caste/tribe-based discrimination persisted. Sangma's poem navigates this tension: it asserts unlimited human potential while acknowledging the specific roles assigned by society and circumstance.

The poem is particularly significant as a woman's voice from a tribal background asserting agency, potential, and the right to dream and aspire. For tribal women in India, who historically have had limited access to education and professional opportunities, poems like "I Believe" represent cultural affirmation and assertion of human dignity and capability.

Setting

The poem is set entirely in the poet's imagination and imagination of the reader. The physical setting is deliberately vague and universalized, allowing readers from any background to find themselves in the poem's vision.

However, biographical context is significant: Brucellish K Sangma comes from Meghalaya in Northeast India, representing the Garo tribe. The final stanza's emphasis on fulfilling "the role assigned to me here" refers specifically to her place in her community. As a woman from an indigenous tribal community with limited educational opportunities, Sangma's achievement of becoming an educated poet and writer was remarkable.

The poem's emotional setting is one of determination and self-assertion. The speaker addresses herself and the reader, creating an internal dialogue between doubt and confidence, between aspiration and limitation, between universal possibility and particular responsibility.

Temporally, the poem exists in the present moment of assertion and belief. The "I believe" statements are not wishes for the future but assertions of present conviction about future capability. This present-moment assertion of faith makes the poem immediately powerful and urgent.

Culturally, the poem emerges from a specific Indian, Garo context but speaks to universal human experience. The poem bridges particular cultural and social constraints with universal human aspiration, suggesting that unlimited potential exists within specific historical and social circumstances.

Title

"I Believe" is a simple, powerful title that encapsulates the poem's entire message. The title emphasizes faith, conviction, and the fundamental human capacity for belief in oneself.

The title is deliberately simple and direct, avoiding elaborate or ornamental language. This simplicity reflects the poem's style—straightforward, accessible, clear. "I Believe" speaks to every reader: anyone can adopt this statement, can practice this faith in themselves.

The title functions as both the poem's central refrain (appearing at the start of each stanza) and its philosophical thesis. The poem elaborates what the speaker believes about herself, but the title alone captures the essential message: belief is fundamental to achievement.

The title's brevity and power suggest that belief itself is sufficient for transformation. We do not need elaborate explanations or detailed plans; what we fundamentally need is to believe in ourselves. This belief then motivates the actions and efforts that lead to achievement.

Form and Language

"I Believe" is written in free verse—poetry without consistent rhyme scheme, regular meter, or fixed formal structure. The poem's form reflects contemporary poetry's embrace of natural speech patterns and flexibility in structure.

The poem consists of six stanzas, each containing exactly three lines. This creates a haiku-like structure, with each three-line unit functioning as an independent, complete thought. The consistency of the three-line stanza form creates visual unity while the free verse allows for natural language patterns.

Each stanza forms a single sentence, creating compact, unified statements. This contributes to the poem's clarity and force: each stanza makes one complete assertion without grammatical fragmentation or complexity.

The language is deliberately simple and accessible. Sangma avoids elaborate poetic vocabulary, complex syntax, or ornamental imagery. Words are primarily monosyllabic or common English words familiar to most readers. This accessibility makes the poem immediately understandable across educational levels and language backgrounds.

The poem employs extended metaphors and symbolic imagery: the pebble, the heavens, soaring, clouds, stars, diving, depths, sharks, gems. These symbols are concrete and easily visualized, making abstract concepts tangible and emotionally resonant.

Repetition is central to the poem's effect. The repetition of "I believe" at the beginning of each stanza (except the last) creates an incantatory effect, emphasizing the theme of faith and conviction. The repeated structure makes the poem memorable and gives it the quality of affirmation or prayer.

The poem progresses logically through different domains: ascending (heavens, heights, clouds, stars); descending (depths, sharks); internal (earth, gems); communal (human angels, world's treasures); and finally, grounded responsibility (assigned role). This progression from aspiration through challenge to grounded responsibility creates meaningful philosophical movement.

The language reflects that the poem was originally written in Garo and translated into English. Some phrasing has a translated quality: "claw into the earth's belly," "where I dream and breathe." This slightly unconventional English enhances the poem's authenticity and cultural distinctiveness.

Meter & Rhyme

"I Believe" is written in free verse, meaning there is no regular meter or consistent rhyme scheme. The poem does not follow traditional prosodic patterns but instead uses natural speech rhythm and visual line arrangement for effect.

Line length varies according to syntactic units and semantic emphasis rather than metrical constraints. Some lines are short: "And see the angels at play"; others longer: "I believe I can claw into the earth's belly." This variation creates rhythm that mimics natural speech patterns.

While there is no formal rhyme scheme, some lines do rhyme by coincidence or design: "upwards/heavens/play" (stanza 1); "heights/clouds/stars" (stanza 2). However, these rhymes are not systematic or predictable, maintaining the free verse structure while adding musical quality.

Parallelism appears throughout the poem. Each stanza follows a similar structure: statement of belief followed by specific descriptions or elaborations. This parallel structure creates rhythm and emphasis without relying on meter or consistent rhyme.

The three-line stanza form is consistently maintained, creating visual and rhythmic unit. Each stanza is visually compact, containing one complete thought. This consistency provides structure while the free verse within each stanza allows flexibility.

The poem's free verse form makes it accessible and modern. Rather than conforming language to predetermined metrical patterns, the poem allows language to take its most natural, direct form. This serves the poem's purposes: clarity, accessibility, and directness of message.

I Believe – Themes

Theme 1: Unlimited Human Potential and Possibility

The poem's fundamental theme is that human potential is unlimited and that seemingly impossible goals can be achieved through belief and effort. The poet asserts the capacity to pierce heavens, touch stars, dive to depths, and discover hidden treasures within. This theme celebrates human capability and refuses to accept artificial limitations.

Theme 2: The Power of Self-Belief and Conviction

The repeated "I believe" throughout the poem emphasizes that conviction and faith in oneself are fundamental to achievement. Belief is not naive optimism but grounded conviction that effort and determination can overcome obstacles. The poet's assertions are made with quiet certainty rather than desperate hope.

Theme 3: The Necessity of Facing Challenges

The poem does not present achievement as effortless. Diving into depths, swimming with sharks, clawing into earth—these actions suggest struggle, effort, and confrontation with danger. The poem asserts that achievement requires willingness to face and overcome challenges, not escape from them.

Theme 4: Self-Discovery and the Actualization of Hidden Potential

The image of clawing into earth and finding gems represents discovering and developing one's own hidden talents, skills, and capacities. These treasures must be brought to light and displayed with pride. The poem emphasizes that we possess greater potential than we often realize, waiting to be discovered and developed.

Theme 5: The Importance of Community and Inspiration

The fifth stanza's emphasis on "human angels" and being "surrounded by the world's treasures" asserts that individual achievement occurs within community. We are inspired by others' examples, supported by communal wisdom, and enriched by access to cultural and natural beauty.

Theme 6: The Balance Between Aspiration and Responsibility

The final stanza qualifies the entire poem: while unlimited potential exists, we also have specific responsibilities and roles to fulfill in our actual communities and circumstances. The poem teaches that aspiration and duty must be balanced, that universal dreams must be grounded in particular commitments.

Theme 7: Individual Agency and Self-Determination

Throughout the poem, the emphasis on "I believe" and "I can" asserts individual agency. Rather than waiting for external permission or validation, the poet claims the right to believe in herself and to pursue her potential. This theme is particularly significant for women and members of marginalized communities who have historically been told what they can and cannot do.

I Believe – Major Symbols

Symbol 1: The Pebble

The pebble represents small, humble beginnings and the initial effort required for achievement. Small, ordinary, insignificant, yet thrown upward with enough force, it can pierce barriers. The pebble symbolizes that great achievements begin with small actions and faith.

Symbol 2: The Heavens

The heavens represent the transcendent, the unreachable, the divine, seemingly impossible goals. Piercing the heavens symbolizes achieving what appears impossible, breaking through barriers between the earthly and the transcendent, the real and the ideal.

Symbol 3: Angels

Angels represent purity, goodness, spiritual excellence, inspiration, and the ideal human state. Heavenly angels represent the transcendent ideal; human angels represent the potential for goodness and excellence within actual humans.

Symbol 4: Heights and Clouds and Stars

These symbols work together to represent aspiration and achievement. Heights represent reaching high, achieving elevated positions. Clouds represent dreams and aspirations. Stars represent hope, guidance, and exemplary excellence. Together, they symbolize the upward trajectory toward great achievement.

Symbol 5: Depths and Sharks

Depths represent challenges, dangers, the unknown. Sharks represent formidable obstacles, threats, powerful dangers. Together, they represent the difficulties and challenges that must be faced and overcome in life. Swimming with sharks symbolizes not escaping danger but engaging with it courageously.

Symbol 6: The Earth's Belly and Gems

The earth's interior represents the hidden depths of self, where undiscovered potential lies buried. Gems represent invaluable talents, skills, wisdom, and spiritual gifts. Clawing into earth and finding gems symbolizes self-discovery and the development of hidden potential.

Symbol 7: Human Angels and World's Treasures

These symbols represent community inspiration and cultural richness. Human angels are inspiring examples we can learn from. World's treasures represent the beauty, wisdom, and resources available to humanity. Together, they symbolize that we are not alone in our aspirations but supported by community and abundance.

Symbol 8: The Role and Place

The "role assigned to me here" and "where I dream and breathe" represent grounded responsibility and rootedness in particular community and circumstance. These symbols represent the tension between universal aspiration and particular duty, between what could be and what is.

I Believe – Major Literary Devices

Literary Device 1: Metaphor

Definition: An implicit comparison between two unlike things, suggesting one thing IS another without using "like" or "as."

Example: "pierce the heavens," "soar to the heights," "dive right into the depths," "claw into the earth's belly"

Explanation: Extended metaphors make abstract concepts concrete and emotionally resonant. Life's journey and achievement are represented through concrete physical actions—piercing, soaring, diving, clawing—making them vivid and memorable.

Literary Device 2: Repetition

Definition: The deliberate recurrence of words, phrases, or ideas for emphasis and effect.

Example: The repetition of "I believe" at the beginning of stanzas 1-5; the parallel structure of "I can" statements; the repeated emphasis on capability

Explanation: Repetition creates an incantatory effect, like a prayer or affirmation. Each repetition of "I believe" reinforces conviction and faith. The repetition makes the poem memorable and gives it the quality of sacred assertion or personal mantra.

Literary Device 3: Imagery

Definition: Language that appeals to the senses, creating vivid mental pictures.

Example: "silky clouds," "priceless gems," "pebble thrown upwards," "swim with the sharks," "claw into the earth's belly"

Explanation: Vivid imagery makes the poem emotionally immediate and memorable. Readers can visualize, imagine touching, hearing, and experiencing the poem's scenes. Sensory language engages readers emotionally and makes abstract concepts tangible.

Literary Device 4: Parallelism

Definition: Repetition of grammatical structures or ideas in successive lines or phrases for emphasis and effect.

Example: Each stanza begins with "I believe" and contains parallel verbs: "pierce...see," "soar...touch...feel," "dive...swim," "claw...pick...adorn"

Explanation: Parallel structure creates rhythm, emphasis, and makes the poem easy to follow. The parallel verb patterns suggest parallel capabilities and the progression of human achievement across multiple domains.

Literary Device 5: Symbolism

Definition: The use of concrete objects, actions, or images to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

Example: Pebble (humble beginnings), heavens (impossible goals), gems (hidden potential), sharks (challenges), human angels (inspiration)

Explanation: Symbolism allows the poem to address abstract philosophical concepts (human potential, belief, responsibility) through concrete, understandable images. Readers can grasp the poem's meaning both literally and symbolically.

Literary Device 6: Anaphora

Definition: The repetition of the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive lines or clauses.

Example: "I believe" appears at the beginning of lines 1, 4, 7, 10, 13; "I can" appears in several lines

Explanation: Anaphora creates rhythmic emphasis and makes the poem memorable. The repeated "I believe" and "I can" establish the speaker's agency and conviction as the poem's foundation.

Literary Device 7: Contrast

Definition: Juxtaposition of opposing elements for emphasis and effect.

Example: Ascending (heavens, heights, soaring) contrasted with descending (depths, diving); the first five stanzas' unlimited aspiration contrasted with the final stanza's grounded responsibility

Explanation: Contrasts create balance and emphasize the poem's nuanced message. The poem does not simply celebrate aspiration but acknowledges that it must be balanced with responsibility and rootedness.

Literary Device 8: Personification

Definition: Giving human characteristics to non-human entities or abstract concepts.

Example: "earth's belly" (personifying earth as a body), "human angels" (giving angelic qualities to humans), "world's treasures" (personifying the world as possessing treasures)

Explanation: Personification makes abstract concepts more relatable and emotionally engaging. Describing earth as having a "belly" makes geological depth more intimate and comprehensible.

Literary Device 9: Paradox

Definition: A statement that seems self-contradictory but may be true upon reflection.

Example: "I believe I can do many things / Amidst the human angels / Surrounded by the world's treasures / But I firmly believe I've to complete / The role assigned to me here" (unlimited potential balanced with limited actual circumstances)

Explanation: The paradox captures the poem's sophisticated message: humans possess unlimited potential yet must fulfill specific roles. Both are true; both are necessary for meaningful life.

Literary Device 10: Assonance

Definition: Repetition of vowel sounds within words or lines for musical effect.

Example: "Pierce...heavens," "soar...heights," "dive...depths," "feel...the," "dream and breathe"

Explanation: Assonance creates musicality and makes the poem pleasant to read aloud. The repeated vowel sounds contribute to the poem's rhythmic quality despite its free verse form.