element of peril or danger in getting to know grandfather. could reflect generational distance. alternatively, suggests familiarity as speaker is comfortable enough to climb without safety
present tense "decide" invloves reader and presents speaker as an active character
preposition without suggests independence and liberation
the skin of his finger is smooth and thick like warm ice
simple similie introduces childlike element
contrast to earlier in poem where skin is described as rough
oxymoron reveals complex nature of memory and nature
at his still firm shoulder, i rest for a while
shoulders are a symbol of bearing weight, so by describing as firm, places respect on grandfather + shows his resilience
rest connotes trust for grandfather
pull myself up
speaker gaining independence as hes circumnavigating around grandfather without his help
structure
first person, not direct adress: generational divide?
single unbroken stanza: relentless struggle of climbing mountain/ getting to know family
no specific syllable legnth or rhyme: natural conversation
form
enjambement "i change/ direction traversing along his belt" :portrays literal change in direction while climbing
