The poem resumes classic free verse structure formally introduced as the opening. But instead of being slightly sentimental, the last of the poem instills a mental, and yet very emotional, image that grasps the reader's innermost feelings of guilt. The last six lines of the poem summarize the personal feelings Baca felt for a man that he saw, contemplated, and ultimately came to love. .
The poignant figurative language of the poem compliments the theme of loneliness in the poem. Baca describes the poor individual as " he sits on a lifetime packed into his suitcase."" The hitchhiker, according to Baca sits on his life, which sadly consists of all that can fit into a brief case. His life has always been transient and poor; an immigrant that could not afford to posses more than he could carry. The hitchhiker is disheartened by the "brazen glare- of the highway lights and unwelcome by the "endless prairie- of interstate 40. Baca uses harsh language to exemplify the hardships of a man confused and unwanted in a country he needs. The hitchhiker's life unraveled in the wind Baca "created as he drove by."" A "loose thread- in the darkness, "[bitten] off- from the rest, offered "frightening acts- or "accidental gifts-. Baca's emotions begin to unravel as he realizes the enormity of the care and concern he has for the poor hitchhiker. The wind he creates, Baca feels, is yet another hardship that the man must endure. Thus, Baca feels guilt for not only passing by a man in need of a ride, headed in the same direction as he, but he also feels guilt for creating another cold shoulder ahead of the man. Baca analyzes the thread in his clothing as loose, or not stable. The thread.
is loose because it has been bitten off from the rest of his clothing from horrible experiences( frightening acts or accidental gifts). The loose thread also symbolizes the compassionate concern Baca has birthed for the hitchhiker.