“The laburnum top is silent, quite still
In the afternoon yellow September sunlight,
A few leaves yellowing, all its seeds fallen.”
i. Name the poem and the poet.
ii. Describe the laburnum tree.
iii. What is the mood in these lines?
iv. Pick out the words that create the mood.
v. Identify and explain the literary device used in these lines.

Dear Student, 
  1. The name of the poem is 'The Laburnum Top'. It is written by Ted Hughes.
  2. The tree is silent and still. Its leaves are yellowing and all its seeds have fallen.
  3. The overall mood conveyed by the poet in the extract is that of sadness and silence. The tree which appeared alive due to the presence of the goldfinch has fallen silent after the departure of the mother goldfinch. 
  4. 'silent', 'still', 'leaves yellowing' and 'seeds fallen' are all words which convey sadness.
  5. The literary device used is alliteration. This is because consecutive words i.e  ' September Sunlight' start from the same letter 's'.
Regards,

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