Poem Analysis - Peekabo I Almost See You

An Overview of Humor and Mortality

Ogden Nash's "Peekabo, I Almost See You" is a whimsical and humorous exploration of aging and the challenges that come with it. The poem maintains a lighthearted and witty tone throughout, using humor to address the frustrations of growing older. The speaker's voice is playful yet reflective, shifting between amusement and mild exasperation as they navigate the mundane yet significant trials of middle-aged life. The poem's conversational style and use of colloquial language make it accessible and relatable, despite its deeper themes.

Themes of Aging and Frustration

The primary theme of the poem is the inevitability of aging and the frustrations that accompany it. Nash uses the speaker's struggles with vision and the need for reading glasses as a metaphor for the broader challenges of growing older. The speaker's inability to read the telephone book or recognize friends highlights the physical limitations that come with age. The repetition of the word "jocular" and the speaker's interactions with the oculist underscore the humor and frustration that often go hand in hand with aging. The speaker's decision to embrace their declining years by saluting strange women and grandfather clocks adds a touch of defiance and acceptance to the theme.

The Role of Humor in Coping with Mortality

Another significant theme is the use of humor as a coping mechanism for mortality. Nash employs a playful tone and absurd imagery to make the topic of aging more palatable. The speaker's interactions with the oculist and the nonsensical words on the chart (SHRDLU QWERTYOP) add a layer of absurdity that makes the poem both funny and poignant. The speaker's final decision to forget both pairs of glasses and embrace their declining years with a sense of humor suggests that laughter and acceptance are key to coping with the inevitabilities of life. This theme is reinforced by the speaker's playful interactions with the world around them, despite their physical limitations.

Symbolism of Glasses and Vision

The poem is rich with symbols, particularly the glasses and the act of seeing. The glasses represent the speaker's attempts to maintain clarity and control over their environment as they age. The need for two pairs of glasses, one for reading and one for seeing, symbolizes the duality of the speaker's experience: the struggle to adapt to new limitations while trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. The repeated misplacement of the glasses and the speaker's inability to find them without their seeing glasses highlight the frustration and confusion that often accompany aging. The final image of the speaker saluting strange women and grandfather clocks suggests a willingness to embrace the unknown and the unpredictable, even as their vision fails them.

Conclusion: Embracing the Inevitable

In "Peekabo, I Almost See You," Ogden Nash uses humor and whimsy to explore the themes of aging, frustration, and mortality. Through the speaker's struggles with vision and the need for glasses, Nash illustrates the challenges and frustrations of growing older. The poem's use of absurd imagery and playful tone underscores the importance of humor as a coping mechanism for the inevitabilities of life. The glasses and the act of seeing serve as powerful symbols of the speaker's attempts to maintain control and clarity in the face of physical limitations. Ultimately, the poem offers a poignant and humorous reflection on the human experience of aging, encouraging readers to embrace the inevitable with a sense of humor and acceptance.