In Margaret Atwood's Selected Poems II, poetry is depicted as an expressive medium that invokes the connection between the voice and the listener. The imagery of the "wind across teeth" illustrates how sound can convey deep meanings and emotions, revealing the power of language in its raw form.

Atwood emphasizes the relationship between the speaker and the audience, suggesting that communication is often fraught with pain, as indicated by the "flayed tongue" and "flayed ear." This metaphor highlights the vulnerability inherent in sharing and receiving words, showcasing poetry as a complex interplay of expression and perception.