The ball poem

The Ball Poem

Ravikant (JNV Kanker)

Email: getfriendly2009@gmail.com

1

Before we proceed:
oEveryone possess something and lose it.
oWhy then we become so upset over losing
something?
o Isn’t it possible to buy another thing and be
happy after losing something?



2

 A boy loses a ball. He is very upset. A ball
doesn’t cost much, nor it is difficult to buy
another ball.
 Why then is the boy so upset?
 Lets read the poem to see what the poet
thinks has been lost, and what the boy has
to learn from the experience of losing
something.


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The Ball Poem
-John Berryman



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About the poet:
John Berryman (October 25, 1914 –
January 7, 1972) was an American
poet and scholar, born in McAlester,
Oklahoma. He was a major figure in
American poetry in the second half of
the 20th century and was considered a
key figure in the Confessional school
of poetry. His best-known work is ‘The
Dream Songs.’



5

What is the boy now, who has lost his ball,
What, what is he to do? I saw it go
Merrily bouncing, down the street, and then
Merrily over — there it is in the water!
No use to say ‘O there are other balls’:
An ultimate shaking grief fixes the boy
As he stands rigid, trembling, staring down
All his young days into the harbour where
His ball went. I would not intrude on him;
A dime, another ball, is worthless.


6

He senses first responsibility
In a world of possessions. People will take
Balls, balls will be lost always, little boy.
And no one buys a ball back. Money is external.
He is learning, well behind his desperate eyes,
The epistemology of loss, how to stand up
Knowing what every man must one day know
And most know many days, how to stand up.



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The ball poem

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The ball poem