not a requirement for calling an implied comparison a metaphor. A metaphor can be more latent or subtle than an “is” statement, and in such instances we may need to ferret out the fact that we are dealing with a metaphor. For example, when the poet says that “the snares of death encompassed me” (Ps. 116:3), we assimilate the statement as a metaphor, even though there is no “am” or “is” verb. Generally speaking, if a statement is not literally true, that is often an invitation to regard it as a metaphor,