In the first stanza, Shapiro portrays the urgency of the situation. In the first line Shapiro states, “It's quick soft silver bells beating, beating"(L1). This statement is especially effective because of the alliteration, “…bells beating beating”. This brings the reader’s attention at first glance. The bells symbolize the siren of an ambulance arriving to the scene of the accident. Later in the first stanza Shapiro states,

In stanzas two and three of Auto Wreck, Shapiro portrays a stiff, lackadaisical atmosphere. For example, in the first line of stanza two he states, “We are deranged, walking among the cops." This shows the depression at the scene. This statement relates to those who have passed on watching the aftermath of the accident as ghosts. Another example, located in stanza three states, “With stubborn saw of common sense, the grim joke and banal resolution the traffic moves with care, But we remain touching a wound”(L26). To me this statement shows that some drivers have learned from the past and pay more attention and drive more carefully. Yet, at the same time there are some that dismiss the accident and risk and think

that they are invincible. Those few not only risk their lives but endanger the lives of others as well. In stanzas two and three is where I believe the theme of the poem lies.

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Some topics in this essay:
Wreck Shapiro, Shapiro Yarborough, Shapiro Shapiro, Auto Wreck, Horrible Occurrence, stanza shapiro, auto wreck, happen reason, scene accident, theme poem, shapiro portrays, literary devices, doors leap, kill people, heart beating,