My Papa's Waltz (Favorite Poem Project)

[TheophilusBoone]

This poem is certainly NOT about abuse. I've loved this poem for 40 years. Why would the kid be clinging to his father's shirt? Because he did not want the dance to end. I wish I could dance a rough dance with my long gone father and a close gentle one with my dear sweet mother. Now that would be as good as heaven.

[lorenoffcast]

Beautiful, deep poem. I can only imagine what that feels like as a child.

[Haha2323g]

ya this poem is awsome

[VERONICA1977]

I also agree it is a positive poem. I have to write a paper about this poem for my final.

[LRMaylott]

I completely agree with him. I didnt see it as abuse... i saw it as a father and daughter (probably because i'm a girl. The writer of the poem does not have to be the speaker of the poem) having a dance after dad comes home from work... It is very much like me and my father.

[ChushiSushi]

@LRMaylott Haha. It is not about a physical dance, the "waltz" is a symbolic meaning for the childs relationship with her father. The dance is just the literal meaning of the poem not the true meaning.

[LRMaylott]

@ChushiSushi First and foremost... Poetry this vague can be interpreted any way the reader choses to interpret it. So don't you dare tell me that the way i see this poem is wrong. Secondly, thinking you have any superior knowledge to tell me that what I think is wrong, just goes to show how egotistical you really are.

[ChushiSushi]

@LRMaylott Really, stop trying to sound smart by using the word egotistical. How does my comment in anyway reflect that I am full of myself? Seriously, I know poems can be interpreted in many ways, but the poem is obviously not about a physical dance. Why would the author write a poem about that? The "waltz" is symbolic for the relationship between the father and child. The relationship can be interpreted the way you want, but the poem is in no way actually about a dance. You sir, are an idiot.

[LRMaylott]

@ChushiSushi And you sir... and a Dick!

[TheDazy37]

@ChushiSushi

Reeeeallllllllllly? It can't be about the dance? Not possible?

The beat of the words....very 1, 2, 3

[Elexegente489]

@ChushiSushi The poem is clearly about a dance. It's titled "My Papa's Waltz." Any symbolism and meaning interpreted past the waltz is strictly a projection of the reader. The only truth that we as readers can be sure of in this poem is that a child is dancing with his (or her) father who has had a drink after a long day at work. That should be all the truth that we need. Sometimes we are so blinded by our search for subtext that we fail to see the beautiful image that the poem actually creates.

[dkhesh]

it's not about abuse but the love a fahter. Women would not get this poem

[BillieBaby143]

@dkhesh I agree about the love of a father. It's sort of sad because the father is tired, and his hands are hard. There are bruises on his knuckles. All these are signs of a hard working man. This dear son seems to need more time with him because he comes home so late. It's a touching poem. On the other hand, you sexist comment, I do not agree on, since I am a woman. Also the professor who introduced and helped me analyze this poem is a woman and feminist. Don't be sexist.

[charlottepoet]

there is some underlying tragedy to the poem. if you have ever lived with alcoholics you can know that there is some joy in those moments when they are jovial drunks but there is also some under the surface that is dangerous about those moments as well. also if you look to the author's history you can infer some of that reading. in either case it is a beautiful poem and it was very well read here.

-jessie

[dynomite925]

I thought it was about a father who's had a drink and picks his son up to have a dance. "at every step you missed my right ear scraped a buckle" he's a kid who's height put his where his head/ear would be at his father's waist-buckle. like a kid stepping on their father's feet to dance.

[MyamIAwesome]

lol i love your hawt beard, i wish i was ur boyfriend. I also felt like this when my dad too k me up to my room to rape me...

[capricorn11j2]

um...wow

[lydiadafferdunn]

I agree with you, Mr. Van Fields.  Always have thought the poem was joyous.

[Yvonne13icc]

Great Analysis - good not to be swayed by others in an interpretation of a work of such magnitude!

[SpokenVerse]

In each verse, there are three lines which are close to waltz rhythm and one line that stumbles. Like they get to waltzing pretty well then trip or bump into something. .

[KingOystar]

I love that poem. I dont think it was about an abusive father. My classmates thought I was nuts.

[verbaud]

I always thought of my 2 uncles Tommy & Mike when I read this poem. Years after they passed away, I can still remember them (yes, with whiskey breath)playfully swinging me around and laughing when I was a little kid. It is a positive, loving memory for Roethke, and evoked positive loving memories for me.

[mrvince316]

My analysis of the poem is very similar. I think it is very positive. It can be negative for some, but one's interpretation comes mostly from personal experience, culture, and stereotyping. Very nice.

[wingateIII]

(If it's ok with you,I have decided to use your video as a teaching tool for presenting this poem to my high school students. Your interpretation, as I stated before, is on the mark, and your audio / reading and the accompanying video are top notch.

[wingateIII]

You are absolutely right. I thought the same thing. My professor loved the poem and agreed with you. Roetke was very straight forward, clear, and concise in his writing. I believe people project their negativity onto the poem. There is such a rhythem to the poem that goes along with playful dancing. Thank you for speaking out. Roetke would be pleased that you got it I think.

[paulatwe]

I must agree. Abuse is not prerequisite.