Scaffolding
Scaffolding - meaning Summary
Temporary Supports for Love
Heaney compares a relationship to a building under construction. The early stages need care, support, and patience, just as scaffolding does for masons. But once the structure is secure, the supports can be removed. The poem reassures a loved one that occasional distance or strain does not mean failure; it may simply show that the bond is strong enough to stand on its own.
Read Complete AnalysesMasons, when they start upon a building, Are careful to test out the scaffolding; Make sure that planks won’t slip at busy points, Secure all ladders, tighten bolted joints. And yet all this comes down when the job’s done Showing off walls of sure and solid stone. So if, my dear, there sometimes seem to be Old bridges breaking between you and me Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall Confident that we have built our wall.
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