Everyone has dealt with troubled times, which can accurately be described as ‘dark

times’ or ‘internal storms.’ In the poem “Storm Warnings”, Adrienne Rich organizes
the poem’s main statement in the middle of the poem in order to mimic the buildup
and aftermath of a real storm, provide the division between her external and
internal storm, and elaborate on the uselessness of warnings. Her organization of
the the focal point of the poem is important, as it is specifically placed in the
middle.
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If we look at the first two stanzas, she uses imagery to paint a picture of her
setting. With, “The glass has been falling all afternoon” and “gray unrest is
moving across the land” (Rich, line 4 ). For these quotes, the author is describing
her environment that is affected by the storm. What typically happens when a storm
is arriving, so the buildup to it. Then we see her make her main statement at the
end of the second stanza. “Weather abroad and weather in the heart alike come on
regardless of prediction” (Rich, line 13). It is in this line that the author first
mentions a metaphorical storm, a storm in the heart. She chose to place this shift
in tone in the middle of the poem in order to imitate the events of a real storm.
In the second half of the poem, the author has switched to her actions after seeing
the storm coming. She prepares herself and goes in defense mode to protect herself.
“I draw the curtain as the sky goes black” (Rich, line 21 ). This no longer depicts
the buildup to the storm, but instead the aftermath. The first and second stanza
depict a storm, in the literal sense, while the third and fourth stanzas portray
both a literal and internal storm. She starts off the poem by describing her
environment affected by the storm. Rich leaves her chair to examine outside as soon
as the signs of a storm make themselves visible. “Watching boughs strain against
the sky” (Rich, line 7 ). This is a literal storm because she is describing the
effects of the storm on external, tangible things such as, the sky. However, in the
second half of the poem, we see the author using a metaphorical meaning of
protection from harm: “We can only close the shutters” (Rich, line 22). This
statement signifies the helplessness and feeling of despair Rich and others get
when they realize they can’t do much to stop the storm. Rich also presents the
uselessness of warnings when it comes to warding off storms .When speaking about
internal storms, Rich clarifies that many people try to avoid change even though it
is not something people can control.
A storm will come no matter how cautious you are: “Weather abroad […] come on
regardless of prediction” (Rich, line 13-14). Rich states that if the storm has
been predicted to come, it will, and if it hasn’t, it still will. Not knowing about
it does not stop it from approaching. This applies to both a literal storm and an
internal storm. There are some who try to avoid any changes in their life in fear
of chaos, creating a false feeling of control over their personal and internal
storms. However, as Rich states, “time in the hand is not control of time” (Rich,
line 18 ). This is a metaphor for a watch, signifying the measurement of time, but
just because you can measure time does not mean that you control it. Similarly, in
an external storm, no one has control of the weather, and in someone’s personal
life no has control over what changes come next. The author also hints at skills
she has acquired from previous storms, from drawing the curtains, to lighting a
candle. “This is our sole defense against the season; these are the things that we
have learned to do” (Rich, line 26-27). Those that have experience with many
internal or external storms usually are more prepared for the next one; thus, Rich
comes to the conclusion that taking a defensive route is best when approached by a
dark situation.
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Adrienne Rich organizes the poem’s main statement in the middle of the poem in
order to guide the reader’s reactions and emotions through a simulated experience
and to underscore one of her main themes: the questionable value of warnings. By
using metaphors, she is thus able to elaborate on the similarities between literal
storms and the storm within that everyone faces.