2.

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.
3. Life is a barren field frozen with snow.
4. The metaphor is comparing life without dreams to a frozen barren field. It makes the poem more thoughtful because it makes you want to think about your dreams. The theme of the poem is to think about the little things.  

2. I am one of many
Small branches of a broken tree
Always looking to the ones above
For guidance, strength and security.
One little branch trying
To keep the others from breaking away
Who will fall?
And who will stay?
Now I stand alone
Looking at the earth through the rain
And I see the broken branches I knew
Scattered about me in pain.
There are those who have taken an axe
To the root of our very foundation
And who have passed this destruction
Down to every new generation.
If I could take that axe
I would toss it deep into the sea
Never to return again
To harm the generations that follow me.
I am one of many
But alone I will go
And plant the new seeds
Where a beautiful tree will grow.

3. I am one of many small branches of a broken tree. 

4. He is being compared to a branch of a broken tree. It makes the poem deep because it's talking about their broken family. The theme of the poem is to not let anything tear your family and loved ones apart.

3.Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.

4. The mother's life is being compared to a set of crystal stairs. The metaphor makes the story a little sadder because she lives a hard life growing up and the theme of the poem is to not give up because there is always going to be bumps in the road.