~Tossing A Ball......Tossing A Poem~

       In Catch, by Robert Francis, there is two meanings to the activity of catching. "Catching What?", you may ask. Well that is what I will be writing about. In this poem, the mental picture is planted of two boys playing catch. The first line of the poem tells us that this is no ordinary game of catch. It is about two boys or maybe poets who are throwing a poem back and forth. I imagine that they are the writing this poem together and trying to figure out what words work best and what phrases should go where. In Catch, there is the imagery of playing catch with a ball and playing catch with a poem. Lets take a closer look at the two.
       First let's look at the playing catch with a ball scenario. All the signs are there for us to assume that these two boys are playing with a ball. The poem says in reference to the toss, "Overhand, underhand, backhand, sleight of hand, every hand ( Francis, Catch, 636)." Who wouldn't say that they are tossing a ball here. The poem goes on to explain how they catch the "ball" and how they have to try hard to get it. Or could it be talking about an actual poem and using this outstanding imagery to show us how they write the poem?
       The boys, as the poem states, are tossing a poem. The very first line says, "Two boys uncoached are tossing a poem (Francis, Catch, 636)." The poem goes on with so many exquisite words to show how these two poets are trying to write this poem. They are tossing the poem back and forth between each other to figure out their next move in writing. The poem states that they tease with attitudes. In poetry you have to get the right tone and mood for the poem. They are toying with different attitudes the poem might have. This poem to me reflects the writing of poetry process.
       In conclusion, this wonderful poem called Catch, by Robert Francis tells of two boys who are tossing a poem back and forth. Francis delivers wonderful imagery to create the illusion of playing catch with a ball but in reality relating it to tossing a poem back and forth trying to figure out what works where. This poem is another example of how poetry can sound and be so simple yet be so beautiful and fun at the same time.

Works Cited

 Roberts, Edgar V. "Catch" Literature: An Introduction to Reading and Writing. 9th ed. New York:         Pearson. 636. Print