The poem uses both metaphors and allitaration in the first two lines. The metaphor 'flying by' gives the reader an idea of speed as birds are often seen flying at a high speed. 'Winged-wheels' also uses alliteration to give it a clearer rhythm and to assist the flow.
The poem is describing two teengers whom Grace Nichols descibes as 'two teenage earthbirds' skating down the street with a fearless and excited attitude. The term used for the teenagers suggests that their swift movement is free like a bird, however they are bound to the earth by their skates. The third stanza links back to the previous quote, using the word 'unfeathered' to describe how they rise.
'Defying law, death and gravity' implies danger as it means that the teenagers are delibaretly challenging the laws of physics and subtly suggests that this is more of a dangerous situation than they realise.
Nichols again uses alliteration to create rhythm with 'in the smooth swoop' and this term also tells the reader that this is perhaps a slower and more graceful movement.
This is not finished yet :) js.
