Climbing My Grandfather

• ‘I decide to do it free, without a rope or net’

  The verb ‘free’ demonstrates how the speaker feels free to get to know his grandfather. There is a feeling of trust between the two as the grandson feels free to explore who his grandfather is as a person. Furthermore, ‘without a rope or net’ shows how he feels confident and comfortable with his grandfather. The verb ‘decide’ shows how he has made a conscious decision to get to know his grandfather. By starting the poem this way, the poet is emphasising the speaker’s determination to get to know him.
• ‘trying to get a grip.’

  This metaphor shows the effort he takes in trying to get to know him. He recognises it is a slow process, but he is willing to take the time because of the love he feels for him
• ‘earth-stained hand’ 


  The speaker notices small details about his grandfather; he notices his ‘earth-stained hand’ and that his ‘nails are splintered’. This could suggest that his grandfather worked a difficult, manual job throughout his life. The fact that he takes the time to notice this detail could illustrate how he feels pride in the work he grandfather took as a younger man. It suggests that his grandfather worked hard to provide for his family and this is something the grandson both recognises and admires.
• ‘earth-stained hand’ 


  The speaker notices small details about his grandfather; he notices his ‘earth-stained hand’ and that his ‘nails are splintered’. This could suggest that his grandfather worked a difficult, manual job throughout his life. The fact that he takes the time to notice this detail could illustrate how he feels pride in the work he grandfather took as a younger man. It suggests that his grandfather worked hard to provide for his family and this is something the grandson both recognises and admires.
• ‘smiling mouth’

  The simple image of his grandfather’s ‘smiling mouth’ is important, as it shows how the grandfather also enjoys the experience of getting to know his grandson. The verb ‘smiling’ creates an image of affection and love and demonstrates the closeness between the two.
• ‘gasping for breath’ 


  The verb ‘gasping’ conveys the speaker’s exhaustion; it has been a difficult, long journey, but the speaker wants to show that he was willing to make the effort to get to know his grandfather and have a close relationship with him.
• ‘the slow pulse of his good heart’

  The poem ends with ‘the slow pulse of his good heart’. The adjective ‘good’ illustrates that after the long journey of discovery about his grandfather, he has come to the conclusion that his grandfather is a ‘good’ man with a ‘good’ heart. The simple, monosyllabic line slows the pace of the poem, imitating the grandfather’s heartbeat. The fact that the grandson is so close that he can hear his grandfather’s heart beating suggests that at the end of their journey, they are not only physically close but emotionally close too
• Structure and Form 


  The form and structure of the poem is important. The poem is written in just one stanza. Visibly this makes the poem look strong and solid like a mountain and this reflects the strong and solid character of his grandfather. Effective use of enjambment throughout the poem imitates the motion of climbing and emphasises the speaker’s steady progress of getting to know his grandfather.