The Ball Poem
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by John Berryman
the
He
says
losse
and
Introduction
The Ball Poem by John Berryman describes the grief of a boy over the loss of his ball. With this b
he senses his first responsibility in a materialistic world. Through this, the poet suggests that the
people whom we love and our material possessions will not be with us forever. One has to understand the
nature of le
and learn to cope up with it. The child has to learn that loss is a part of everyday life and still life goes on.
Stanza 1
What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,
What, what is he to do? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over - there it is in the water!
No use to say 'O there are other balls':
Explanation The poem starts with the poet looking at
the boy who has lost his ball. The poet wants to know about
him and his reaction after losing his ball. The poet himself
saw the ball bouncing happily down the street and then,
falling into the water. The poet says that there is no use to
tell the boy that there are other balls as he would get many
other balls but he would never be able to get the lost ball
and the memories associated with it back.
Stanza 2
An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy
As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down
All his young days into the harbour where
His ball went. I would not intrude on him;
A dime, another ball, is worthless.
Explanation In these lines, the poet describes the
condition of the boy after losing his ball.
The boy feels very sad due to the loss of his ball. He is
standing like a statue at one place. He is shivering and
young days. The boy is filled with sorrow and just keep
staring in the direction where his ball is going.
The poet says that he would not interfere in the boy's
thoughts as he feels that through this experience, the bos
will learn the meaning of loss.
According to the poet, it is not worth it to tell the boy that
another ball can be bought. This is so because the poet
knows that even though the boy can buy another ball, he
would not get the memories attached with the lost ball back
The boy would never get the ball which was with him for N
his
very childhood. Hence, the new ball would be worthles
Stanza 3
......... Now
He senses first responsibility
In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is extern
Explanation In these lines, the poet says that the boy
star
by John Berryman
the
He
says
losse
and
Introduction
The Ball Poem by John Berryman describes the grief of a boy over the loss of his ball. With this b
he senses his first responsibility in a materialistic world. Through this, the poet suggests that the
people whom we love and our material possessions will not be with us forever. One has to understand the
nature of le
and learn to cope up with it. The child has to learn that loss is a part of everyday life and still life goes on.
Stanza 1
What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,
What, what is he to do? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over - there it is in the water!
No use to say 'O there are other balls':
Explanation The poem starts with the poet looking at
the boy who has lost his ball. The poet wants to know about
him and his reaction after losing his ball. The poet himself
saw the ball bouncing happily down the street and then,
falling into the water. The poet says that there is no use to
tell the boy that there are other balls as he would get many
other balls but he would never be able to get the lost ball
and the memories associated with it back.
Stanza 2
An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy
As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down
All his young days into the harbour where
His ball went. I would not intrude on him;
A dime, another ball, is worthless.
Explanation In these lines, the poet describes the
condition of the boy after losing his ball.
The boy feels very sad due to the loss of his ball. He is
standing like a statue at one place. He is shivering and
young days. The boy is filled with sorrow and just keep
staring in the direction where his ball is going.
The poet says that he would not interfere in the boy's
thoughts as he feels that through this experience, the bos
will learn the meaning of loss.
According to the poet, it is not worth it to tell the boy that
another ball can be bought. This is so because the poet
knows that even though the boy can buy another ball, he
would not get the memories attached with the lost ball back
The boy would never get the ball which was with him for N
his
very childhood. Hence, the new ball would be worthles
Stanza 3
......... Now
He senses first responsibility
In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is extern
Explanation In these lines, the poet says that the boy
