Climbing my grandfather

• In 'Climbing my Grandfather', the speaker climbs up the body of their grandfather. The tender poem is an extended metaphor  which conveys admiration and respect within family relationships by presenting the grandfather as a mountain and the child’s journey as challenging. 
• "I decide to do it free, without a rope or net."

  "I decide to do it free, without a rope or net."
• he poem begins with a speaker’s decision to act without any support 
• The use of ‘decide’ suggests that this action has been thought about carefully.
• “free” - This word can have two meanings here; firstly, it means not using ropes or nets which would make climbing easier but also implies freedom from fear and anxiety.
• “First, the old brogues, dusty and cracked;

  an easy scramble onto his trousers,

  pushing into the weave, trying to get a grip.”
• “the weave” – The fabric of the trouser leg is compared to a woven material such as cloth or carpet. It gives the impression that the legs are like a ladder, making the climb more manageable.
• The speaker starts at the bottom of the body, beginning on the feet. They are described as “old brogues”, suggesting they belong to someone older than the speaker. The fact that they are “dusty and cracked” shows how much wear they have had over time.
• “trying to get a grip” – The speaker struggles to find something solid to hold onto. This could be interpreted as a struggle to connect emotionally with their grandfather.
• By the overhanging shirt I change

  direction, traverse along his belt

  to an earth-stained hand. The nails”
• “earth-stained hands” – These hands are dirty and stained brown by the soil. This could symbolise the connection between mankind and nature, showing that even though humans try to separate themselves from nature, they will always remain connected.
• “traverse along his belt” – The speaker moves horizontally across the body, rather than upwards vertically. This might suggest that the relationship isn’t progressing smoothly.
• “overhanging shirt” – The shirt hangs down low enough so that the speaker has to go underneath it. This suggests there’s some distance between them, perhaps because he doesn’t want to let anyone else see him vulnerable.
• • The speaker implies the difference in size between the child and the grandfather to convey the alternative perspective of a child
  • The poet emphasises the simple nature of the grandfather with the description of “earth-stained hand”, implying he is used to manual labour
• are splintered and give good purchase,

  the skin of his finger is smooth and thick

  like warm ice. On his arm I discover”
• “splintered and give good purchase” - this shows how the grandfather's fingers have been worn away through years of hard work, but also gives the impression that he can still hold on well
• "warm ice" - this metaphor compares the texture of the grandfather's skin to something cold yet comforting, suggesting that although the grandfather may be tough, he is not unapproachable or unwelcoming
• • The grandfather’s hands are described with an oxymoron: 
  • The opposite nature of “warm” and “ice” and “smooth” and “thick” imply the grandfather’s skin is comforting, yet aged and damaged
• “the glassy ridge of a scar, place my feet

  gently in the old stitches and move on.”
• At his still firm shoulder, I rest for a while

  in the shade, not looking down,

  for climbing has its dangers, then pull”
• “place my feet gently in the old stitches and move on” - this phrase uses personification as it describes the grandfather's skin as if it were fabric, giving the impression that the grandfather has been patched up over time
• “still firm shoulder” - this phrase suggests that even though the grandfather is getting older, there is still strength left in him
• “and easy, to his thick hair (soft and white

  at this altitude), reaching for the summit,

  where gasping for breath I can only lie

  watching clouds and birds circle,”
• “clouds and birds circle” - The use of alliteration here creates a sense of movement and energy which contrasts with the speaker's exhaustion.
• "I can only lie" - This line shows how the speaker feels like he cannot do anything else but lay down because he is so exhausted from climbing.
• “feeling his heat, knowing

  the slow pulse of his good heart.”
• “his good heart” - This phrase emphasises the love between the speaker and his grandfather, suggesting that their relationship is strong and positive.
• • The poem ends with a clear sense of the significance of the grandfather in the child’s life:
  • The grandfather is steady, reliable and has a “good heart”, which brings the child reassurance and comfort 
• The grandfather represents stability and security for the child, who looks up to him as an authority figure. He also symbolizes the importance of family ties and relationships.