Speaker

Definition:  The speaker of a poem is the voice in a poem that tells you what's going on.  It also doesn't have to be the author of the poem.

Example:
Dreams

Hold fast to dreams

For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
Hold fast to dreams
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.

By Langston Hughes

In this poem, Langston Hughes could be the speaker, telling us about dreams.


Significance: The speaker of a poem is important because it sets the mood and meaning for a poem.