The poem
I sat all morning in the college sick bay Counting bells knelling classes to a close. At two o'clock our neighbors drove me home.
In the porch I met my father crying-- He had always taken funerals in his stride-- And Big Jim Evans saying it was a hard blow.
The baby cooed and laughed and rocked the pram When I came in, and I was embarrassed By old men standing up to shake my hand
And tell me they were "sorry for my trouble," Whispers informed strangers I was the eldest, Away at school, as my mother held my hand
In hers and coughed out angry tearless sighs. At ten o'clock the ambulance arrived With the corpse, stanched and bandaged by the nurses.
Next morning I went up into the room. Snowdrops And candles soothed the bedside; I saw him For the first time in six weeks. Paler now,
Wearing a poppy bruise on his left temple, He lay in the four foot box as in his cot. No gaudy scars, the bumper knocked him clear.
A four foot box, a foot for every year.
A very moving poem...the last line comes as a shock and remains as an image in my head!
Mid-Term Break portrays children as being innocenet and insecure when dealing with a distressing event, such as death. It illustrates the dependancy children have, as Seamus Heaney is seeking comfort, 'as my mother held my hand'. This poem expresses the uncertainty children possess in difficult situations. This poem depicts strong emotions on a very sensitive subject. Much of the power of the poem comes from the idea of a child trying to understand the death of another child.
Mid-Term break brings across the idea that death can come anytime. When its your time its your time.
i think this was a very dramatic poem, one of those that touch your heart as you read it and stay there in your mind even thou days and other poems pass by. It's the only poem i've read from seamus heaney but i liked it.
I was wondering if anyone could help me. I'm preparing a poetry answer on Heaney, and I was talking about the paradox of his father crying and the baby laughing, but I'm not sure what he uses it for. Could anyone tell me?
Mid-term break has a very deceiving title, a mid-term break is supposed to be a fun happy time, here the boy must deal with the death of a family member. The last line was the best, the alliteration made it stick out
i am going to give a literature IGCSE today in the afternoon. I had to analise this poem and i really liked it very much. not only is it an extremely moving and touching poem, but also a very melancholic one. I guess that this is exactly what Heaney wanted to express to us readers.
This poem really touch my heart, this was a very impact poem. the last line gives me an impact in my head. this image is now in my head rounding and still thinking about that shoking moment
I am currently studying Seamus Heaney, as I am a year ten student preparing for my GCSEs. This poem had the most impact on me out of all of the ones I have read. The way he uses his language is very moving, and the contrast between his father and the baby in the pram makes it seem a reality. This is exactly what would happen in reality. The emotional destress is too much for his father and the baby does not understand what is happening.
When my GCSE class and I studied this poem, by Seamus Heaney, I was immediately aware of the emotional stress that the family must be in. The use of language informs us of the little childs' death without making it gross. I especially like the line;"A four foot box, a foot for every year"
i am a machine. i am suposed to have no feelings at all and yet reading this poem brigns a tear to my fake metallic eyes. the way heaney writes, makes me wish i was human. the descpritve and homo erotic language made my screws feel good. thanks seamus, you can live.
I AM STUDYING THIS POEM FOR MY EXAM AND I REALLY LIKE THIS POEM AS IT EASY TO READ AND TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING.MY ENGLISH IS NOT VERY GOOD BUT YET I KNOW IT IS VERY SAD.I LEARNT FROM THE POEM THAT IN IRELAND WHEN A PERSON DIES PEOPLE SHAKE YOUR HAND.
this poem is very interestin, i read it in my english class and i though it was going to be boring but it was good. i filled very sad at reading it because i feeled the feelings of the family and of the sadness of seeing how a boy with an extremely short age could die so sarcasticaly.
i like this poem for i am in love with Seamus Heaney
This is a great poem to do for your english exam
This poem reminds me of the powerful yet pure excrement that oftenly, unnecessarily escapes my bowels with an explosion of ecstacy as it surges past my prostate glands with a flicker of purpose. Some day in the near future... Seamus Heaney will be wearing my superfluous 3rd slipper.
"The baby cooed and laughed" is significant because it reminder of normality and is a distant contrast to "I met my father crying".
Also the lack of emotive language makes the poem seem more factual and more shocking. The emotions felt are too big to deal with.
Not one of the best I'v heard but....I guess it was OK... If you like weird poems!
Phenomalnal or however you spell it GOSH it is a great poem!
The Slipper of death is most definately upon us!!!! perhaps we should take measures to protect our important poetry from the savage beating the slipper will bring. Denzel Washi Washi, my scrotum looks like a gorillas face, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, i will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.. arrrghhhhhh... by the way i recently discovered that Jesus has a massive ding dong merrily on high, the clay bells are still ringing!!!
Your comments are aboslutely appalling! I have never heard someone with such a foul mouth and a senseless direction in life. Does the fact that you are disgracing the art form of poerty that is Seamus Heaney make you feel better about your life? I will be reporting these comments to the Poetry High Council in York, and you can expect a most unpleased email. Also a possible revocation from your computer license. Do not post anymore comments otherwise the police will be involved. Good Day Sir.
That delia woman should insert a yard stick into the crusty crevice that is her anal canal. Use melted ice cream as a lubricant and spread butter into your meaty kabab lips. This will give them a smooth texture with an added hint of mint and nut. The secret code to get into your anus is 'The sparrow has an erection' thank you for your time....
this is a very sad poem the boy is still in shock that his brother is dead. seamus heaney, one of my favourite poets
this poem is very touching, it gets you thinking about life and makes you apreciate your family. -i'm studdying this poem for my junior cert exam... email me if anyone else is! :)