Climbing My Grandfather

• Who wrote Climbing My Grandfather?

  Andrew Waterhouse
• Who is andrew waterhouse?

  An environmentalist with good knowledge of nature. His interest in natural world is reflected in the poem. He committed suicide age 42.
• ‘I decide to do it free, without a rope or net’


  Present tense makes reader feel they’re witnessing it and creates a sense of adventure. He trusts his grandfather, so he doesn’t need safety equipment to feel safe. He feels comfortable and confident with him but there is an element of danger and excitement as it is risky.
• ‘First, the old brogues, dusty and cracked;’


  Starts at shoes ‘brogues’. Adjectives imply grandad is old and has gone through hardships.
• ‘trying to get a grip.’


  Verb ‘grip’ shows he’s getting to know is grandfather.
• ‘…I change/direction, traverse along his belt/ to an earth-stained hand.’


  Enjambment between ’change’ and direction’ reflects literal change. His hands being ‘earth-stained’ indicates that the grandad is very wise and has experienced so much life as he’s old that it is reflected in his hands.
• ‘The nails/are splintered and give good purchase’


  ‘splintered’ shows they’re broken and not smooth indicating that life and the journey isn’t easy. The grip is now better as it gives ‘good purchase’; as the grandchild learns about his grandfather he learns from his grandfathers mistakes which is an opportunity the grandfather is offering.
• ‘the skin of his finger is smooth and thick/like warm ice.’


  Simile and oxymoron of ‘warm ice’ shows that despite hardships in life he has maintained goodness in him because he is still ’warm’. Adjectives ‘smooth’ and ‘thick’ highlight that it is making the grandchild’s journey easier as he is learning from the grandfathers life.
• ‘On his arm i discover/the glassy ridge of a scar, place my feet/gently in the old stitches and move on.’


  ‘Scar(s)’associated with pain and emphasises ordeals he has gone through. Verb ‘discover’ adds to sense of adventure. His shoulder being ‘firm’ gives grandchild support. ‘Ridge’ has connection with mountain ridges. There is an understanding between them so he ‘move(s) on’.
• ‘In the shade not looking down,/for climbing has its dangers,’


  Grandfather provides shelter by giving ’shade’ as he provides protection for his grandchild.
• ‘then pull/ myself up the loose skin of his neck’


  ‘Loose skin’