Blood - “A Moment of Reflection”
The archduke views “The blood of his aide-de-camp/spattered over the manuscript of the speech/ he was previously unable to complete.” The blood portrays ghastly vehemence that concludes in death. Presumably, the aide-de-camp passed on during the assassination.
‘Bad News Vessel’ - “Losses”
Andrew Motion writes loss is “a bad news vessel with holes/and sometimes it drains, then fills up, then it empties again.” The vessel exemplifies the avidity of loss. Loss is predatory, and thus humans cannot get habituated to it.
Dust - “Losses”
The soldier in “Losses” equates his existence to “dust in the wind.” This assessment suggests that the soldier is despondent as his life may be exterminated just like dust that is propelled smoothly by the wind. The dust characterizes the hollowness of transitory life.
Fire - “Laying a Fire”
The fire intensifies comely warmness in the house. Clearly, fire is a an important element in the household considering the manifestation of ash.
