Does ADDRESSES mean the same as TALKS ABOUT in the context?

[Cooliegirly]

"apostrophe is a technique in which a writer addresses an innaimate object, an idea, or a person who is either dead or absent." Does "addresses" mean the same as "talks about" in the context?

[Mister Micawber]

.
Not quite: address = talk to.

Here is an example. Notice that the poetess is talking to all mankind:

Apostrophe to Man
(Edna St. Vincent Millay)

(on reflecting that the world is ready to go to war again)

Detestable race, continue to expunge yourself, die out.
Breed faster, crowd, encroach, sing hymns, build bombing airplanes;
Make speeches, unveil statues, issue bonds, parade;
Convert again into explosives the bewildered ammonia and the distracted cellulose;
Convert again into putrescent matter drawing flies
The hopeful bodies of the young; exhort,
Pray, pull long faces, be earnest, be all but overcome, be photographed;
Confer, perfect your formulae, commercialize
Bacteria harmful to human tissue,
Put death on the market;
Breed, crowd, encroach, expand, expunge yourself, die out,
Homo called sapiens.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Yankee]

Hi cooliegirly

I would say it means "talk to".

Amy

EDIT:
Oops, Sorry Mr. M. Didn't mean to post a redundant answer. :?

[Cooliegirly]

Ok, I get it now. Thank you, Mr Micawber and thank you,too, Amy. :D