Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Thom Gunn’s “Seesaw: Song” captures the essence of childhood innocence and the inevitable cycles of life through the simple imagery of a seesaw in a park. The poem delves into themes of balance, cyclical motion, and the fleeting nature of joy.

The poem opens with a stark contrast: "Days are bright, / Nights are dark." This juxtaposition sets the tone for the alternating motion of the seesaw, mirroring the oscillation between light and darkness, joy and sadness, up and down. The seesaw, a playground fixture, becomes a metaphor for the oscillations and dualities inherent in life.

"We play seesaw / In the park" introduces the setting and activity, grounding the poem in a specific, relatable scene. The simplicity of the language and the straightforward description evoke a sense of childhood innocence. The seesaw, as a symbol, represents the interplay of opposites and the balance necessary to maintain equilibrium.

The introduction of "Freckleface / The other end" personifies the balance required in this activity. Freckleface is not just a playmate but also a crucial element in the seesaw’s function, symbolizing relationships and interactions that require mutual cooperation. The seesaw cannot function without both participants, highlighting themes of interdependence and companionship.

The sensory details in the stanza "Shiny board / Between my legs. / Feet crunch down / On the twigs" enhance the vividness of the scene. The "shiny board" and the tactile sensation of "feet crunch[ing] down on the twigs" bring the reader into the moment, emphasizing the physicality and groundedness of the experience.

The cyclical motion is encapsulated in the lines "I crouch close / To the ground / Till it's time: / Up I bound." This rising and falling motion, a central image in the poem, mimics the natural rhythms of life, suggesting periods of rest and activity, closeness to the earth, and moments of ascent.

The repetition of "Legs go loose, / Legs go tight" and "I drop down / Like the night" further emphasizes the rhythmic, cyclical nature of the seesaw's movement. The comparison of dropping down to the onset of night deepens the metaphor, connecting the physical motion to the larger cosmic cycle of day and night, suggesting a broader philosophical reflection on the human condition.

"Like a scales. / Give and take, / Take and give. / My legs ache" underscores the theme of balance. The seesaw as a scale represents fairness and the inevitable give-and-take of life. The aching legs symbolize the effort and strain involved in maintaining balance, hinting at the labor inherent in life's oscillations and the physical toll of constant movement.

The poem concludes with "So it ends / As it begins. / Off we climb / And no one wins," bringing the experience full circle. The seesaw ride, like life, is a cycle that begins and ends in the same place, with no definitive winner. This ending reinforces the idea of equality and the perpetual nature of life's ups and downs.

Through the metaphor of the seesaw, Gunn explores themes of balance, the cyclical nature of existence, and the simple yet profound experiences of childhood. The poem's structure, with its rhythmic cadence and vivid imagery, mirrors the seesaw's motion, creating a poignant reflection on the interplay of joy and struggle in life.

Copyright (c) 2025 PoetryExplorer

Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!

Other Poems of Interest...