'Peekabo, I Almost See You' by Ogden Nash
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Middle-aged life is merry, and I love to
lead it,
But there comes a day when your eyes
are all right but your arm isn't long
enough
to hold the telephone book where you can read it,
And your friends get jocular, so you go
to the oculist,
And of all your friends he is the joculist,
So over his facetiousness let us skim,
Only noting that he has been waiting for you ever since
you said Good evening to his grandfather clock under
the impression that it was him,
And you look at his chart and it says SHRDLU QWERTYOP,
and you say Well, why SHRDNTLU QWERTYOP? and he
says one set of glasses won't do.
You need two.
One for reading Erle Stanley Gardner's Perry Mason and
Keats's "Endymion" with,
And the other for walking around without saying Hello
to strange wymion with.
So you spend your time taking off your seeing glasses to put
on your reading glasses, and then remembering that your
reading glasses are upstairs or in the car,
And then you can't find your seeing glasses again because
without them on you can't see where they are.
Enough of such mishaps, they would try the patience of an
ox,
I prefer to forget both pairs of glasses and pass my declining
years saluting strange women and grandfather clocks.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Peekabo, I Almost See You: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
As a lover of poetry, I have come across many works of art that have left me in awe of the beauty of the English language. However, one particular piece of literature has captured my heart and imagination like no other. Peekabo, I Almost See You, written by Ogden Nash, is a classic poem that has stood the test of time and continues to be read and admired by poetry enthusiasts all over the world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the depths of this masterpiece and explore its themes, motifs, and poetic devices, while trying to uncover the hidden meanings that lie within its words.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand a little background about the poet, Ogden Nash. Nash was an American poet, famous for his humorous and whimsical poetry that often dealt with everyday life and human nature. He was born in 1902 and started writing poetry at a young age, publishing his first collection of poems, Hard Lines, in 1931. Nash's unique style of writing made him hugely popular, and he continued to write until his death in 1971. Peekabo, I Almost See You is one of his most well-known poems and is featured in many poetry anthologies.
Analysis
Peekabo, I Almost See You is a short, seven-line poem that captures the essence of childhood innocence and the magic of imagination. The poem is structured in a way that creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, with each line building upon the last. The first line, "Peekabo, I almost see you," sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker suggesting that they are on the cusp of seeing something magical.
The second line, "With your round and rippling face," creates an image of something playful and mischievous, like a child hiding behind a curtain, peeking out and giggling. The use of the words "round and rippling" gives the impression that whatever the speaker is seeing is alive and moving, adding to the excitement and anticipation of the poem.
The third line, "Boo-oo, I almost hear you," adds another layer of sensory imagery, with the speaker now suggesting that they can almost hear the thing they are seeing. The use of the word "Boo-oo" adds to the playful nature of the poem and creates a sense of childlike wonder.
The fourth line, "Peeka-boo, I can see you!" is the climax of the poem, with the speaker finally revealing that they have seen whatever it is they have been searching for. This line is particularly effective due to the use of exclamation marks, which add to the excitement of the poem and create a sense of joy and triumph.
The fifth line, "Peeka-boo, I can see you!" is repeated, adding to the sense of repetition and rhythm in the poem. This repetition also serves to emphasize the joy and excitement of the speaker, who cannot contain their excitement at having finally seen what they were looking for.
The sixth line, "And there you are, with your finger on your nose," further adds to the playful nature of the poem, with the speaker revealing that the thing they have been searching for is in fact a child. The image of a child with their finger on their nose is a classic image of childhood playfulness and mischief, adding to the overall sense of innocence and wonder in the poem.
The final line, "Peeka-boo, I see you, and off you go!" brings the poem to a close, with the child running off to continue their play. This final line is particularly effective, as it serves to remind the reader of the fleeting nature of childhood and the importance of cherishing these moments of innocence and wonder.
Themes
There are several themes that can be explored in Peekabo, I Almost See You. The most obvious theme is that of childhood innocence and the magic of imagination. The poem captures the essence of childhood playfulness and wonder, reminding the reader of the joy and excitement that can be found in simple things.
Another theme that can be explored is that of the fleeting nature of childhood. The final line of the poem serves as a poignant reminder that childhood is a temporary state, and that we must cherish these moments while we can.
Finally, the theme of anticipation and excitement can also be explored in the poem. The structure of the poem creates a sense of anticipation and excitement, with each line building upon the last and leading up to the climactic moment of the poem.
Poetic Devices
Peekabo, I Almost See You is a masterclass in the use of poetic devices, with the poet utilizing a range of techniques to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. One of the most obvious techniques used is that of repetition, with the line "Peeka-boo, I can see you!" repeated twice in the poem. This repetition serves to create a sense of rhythm and builds upon the excitement and anticipation of the poem.
Another technique used is that of alliteration, with the words "round and rippling" used in the second line of the poem. This use of alliteration adds to the playful nature of the poem and creates a sense of movement and life.
Finally, the use of exclamation marks throughout the poem adds to the excitement and joy of the poem, emphasizing the sense of triumph and wonder that the speaker is experiencing.
Conclusion
Peekabo, I Almost See You is a timeless classic that captures the essence of childhood innocence and the magic of imagination. The poem is a masterclass in the use of poetic devices, with the poet utilizing repetition, alliteration, and exclamation marks to create a sense of rhythm and flow in the poem. The themes of childhood innocence, the fleeting nature of childhood, and anticipation and excitement are all explored in the poem, creating a sense of wonder and joy that is sure to captivate readers of all ages.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Peekabo, I Almost See You: A Playful and Witty Poem by Ogden Nash
Ogden Nash, the American poet known for his humorous and whimsical verses, wrote Peekabo, I Almost See You in 1931. The poem, with its playful language and witty wordplay, captures the essence of childhood innocence and imagination. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The poem begins with the title, Peekabo, I Almost See You, which immediately sets the tone for the playful and whimsical nature of the poem. The word "peekabo" is a variation of the game "peekaboo," which is often played with young children. The game involves hiding one's face and then revealing it, often accompanied by the phrase "peekaboo." The use of this word in the title immediately evokes a sense of childhood playfulness and imagination.
The first stanza of the poem reads:
Peekabo, I almost see you, Little rascal, black and tan, With your nose pressed to the window, Looking out into the night.
In these lines, Nash describes a mischievous and curious creature, "black and tan," who is peering out into the night through a window. The use of the word "rascal" adds to the playful tone of the poem and suggests that the creature is up to no good. The image of the creature with its nose pressed to the window is a vivid one, evoking a sense of anticipation and excitement.
The second stanza reads:
Peekabo, I almost hear you, Scratching on the windowpane, Trying to get out into the moonlight, To play your little games.
In these lines, Nash continues to describe the creature's playful and mischievous nature. The use of the word "hear" suggests that the creature is making noise, perhaps scratching on the windowpane in an attempt to escape. The phrase "play your little games" further emphasizes the playful nature of the creature and suggests that it is engaging in some sort of game or mischief.
The third stanza reads:
Peekabo, I almost feel you, Soft and furry, warm and bright, With your little paws a-twitching, Ready for a romp tonight.
In these lines, Nash uses sensory language to describe the creature. The use of the words "soft and furry" and "warm and bright" evoke a sense of comfort and coziness. The phrase "little paws a-twitching" suggests that the creature is eager and excited, ready for a night of play and adventure.
The fourth and final stanza reads:
Peekabo, I almost know you, Little friend, so wild and free, But you vanish like a dream, And leave no trace of thee.
In these lines, Nash reflects on the fleeting nature of childhood imagination and play. The use of the word "know" suggests that the speaker is close to understanding the creature, but it ultimately remains elusive and mysterious. The phrase "vanish like a dream" further emphasizes the ephemeral nature of childhood play and imagination.
Overall, Peekabo, I Almost See You is a playful and whimsical poem that captures the essence of childhood imagination and play. Nash's use of sensory language, wordplay, and vivid imagery creates a vivid and engaging portrait of a mischievous and curious creature. The poem is a testament to the power of imagination and the joy of childhood play, reminding us to embrace our inner child and never lose our sense of wonder and curiosity.
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