Walking Away - Key Analysis

Ever wondered what goes through a parent's mind when their child leaves home? Day-Lewis wrote this poem about his own son Sean going to boarding school, and it perfectly captures that mix of pride and heartbreak every parent feels.

The poem uses an ABACA rhyme scheme with lots of repetition and direct address to create an intimate, conversational tone. Day-Lewis speaks directly to his son throughout, making it feel like a personal letter rather than just a poem.

Seasonal imagery runs through the poem, showing how relationships change over time just like the seasons. The poet cleverly contrasts passive and active verbs - sometimes the father feels powerless, other times he's actively remembering and reflecting.

The main themes are reflection and regret from a father's perspective. Day-Lewis looks back eighteen years and processes his feelings about watching his son grow into an independent adult.

Quick Tip: Notice how Day-Lewis uses nature metaphors throughout - this connects the natural process of growing up to the natural world around us.