Notes About The Poem

I joined Poetry Soup in July 2014, and this was the first poem I entered, although I had written many over the years. It was one of my best Sonnets at the time, but I do feel that I have grown over the years in learning much from many poets here on PS, and my writing has improved.

See-Saws


What playground does not hold the magic lure
Of see-saws firmly braced upon their stands?
What child resists excitement, felt for sure
In ups and downs: the hard thump when he lands;

The surging thrill of bouncing up again-
To know that when he's hit that lowest low,
It's followed by a swing to new heights when
He'll know once more the joy of that plateau.
 
In contrast to the see-saw, truth is found,
For truly, were it stable, it would bore
The simplest mind; for only from the ground
The grandeur of the heavens makes its score.

For, only in imbalances, we feel-
The balance that keeps life- on even keel.

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Mark Toney

Date: 3/8/2025 12:44:00 PM

Sandra, I appreciate your support for my Flash Poetry Challenge (11). Your poem was randomly chosen to be featured in my 'Results' blog, which is now up and running. Life's lessons learned from a see-saw perspective. Nicley done.

Sandra Haight
Date: 3/9/2025 5:21:00 PM

Hi, Mark. I was delighted that my poem was randomly chosen in your Flash Poetry Challenge 11! And, thank you for the positive comments! Sandra

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 8/25/2020 10:17:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. A wonderful write. As a kid I loved playing on the see-saw. Enjoy your win and day...................

Line Gauthier

Date: 8/24/2020 11:56:00 AM

Awesome first post with a very significant message. Congrats on your six years with PoetrySoup, Sandra.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 8/24/2020 3:55:00 AM

- Congratulations on your win, Sandra ... I remember how exciting it was to post my first poem :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Sigrid Ermine

Date: 8/24/2020 3:50:00 AM

Sandra, it's great to read you here in the Ones list. I can see the sonnet spent time in your loving hands. A beautiful analogy between up swing and reaching Heaven. Lovely subject to think of children at play. Yes, the 'bliss myth' described so succinctly here.

Silent One

Date: 8/24/2020 3:37:00 AM

You have always been so good at sonnets and this was a great post.. This was not really a contest, it was an opportunity to showcase your first poem and I am glad you entered. Thank you.

John Watt

Date: 2/14/2020 3:36:00 PM

Sandra, I love your exquisitely crafted sonnet. It captures both the simple joys of a childhood playground and the profound yin and yang found in nature, philosophy, and human existence. "For only in imbalances we feel / The balance that keeps life on even keel". A fav for me, dear poetess.

Sandra Haight
Date: 2/16/2020 3:08:00 PM

Wow, John, you found this old poem from 2014! Thank you so much for the lovely, supportive comments. I am pleased that you can identify with my thoughts and how I expressed them. Again, I appreciate your feedback so much. Sandra :)

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 1/6/2019 6:32:00 PM

Yes, I would say you have improved most certainly, but this is a charming and wonderful write nonetheless ... I enjoyed this thoroughly, my friend, as I do EVERYthing of yours! Blessings! :-) <3

Sandra Haight
Date: 1/6/2019 7:38:00 PM

Thank you so much, Greg, for your visit and uplifting comments. How did you ever arrive at the very first poem I posted here? So glad you did, and I cherish your supportive words! And, a happy new year, my friend! Hugs, Sandra

Susan Ashley

Date: 11/22/2017 8:20:00 AM

Sandra, I enjoyed the beautifully expressed metaphor in your sonnet, (your first write on PS) with your vivid use of wondrous imagery of highs, lows and imbalance, balance and how the joy these exhilarations and contrasts lends excitement to our lives.. Excellent and a belated congrats for this fantastic write my talented friend!

Sandra Haight
Date: 11/28/2017 7:24:00 AM

Thank you for reading this old poem, Susan. Yes, in many ways, life is a 'see-saw'. I am so happy that you enjoyed it and appreciate your wonderful and supportive feedback. Hugs, Sandra

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 9/6/2017 11:46:00 AM

Congratulations on your win in my contest! Sandra, I enjoyed the movement of the see-saw and its comparison to life...magic lure, braced upon its stand, ups and downs, hard thump, lows and highs, imbalances keep us on an even keel.

Sandra Haight
Date: 11/28/2017 7:23:00 AM

A belated thank you, Kim, for the nice placement for my first poem submitted on PS back in 2014. I appreciated that and your uplifting comments on it. Hugs, Sandra

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 5/1/2016 7:05:00 PM

Sandra, Congratulations on your win in Andrea's fave contest. XOX - LINDA

Balveen Cheema

Date: 4/28/2016 10:00:00 AM

Very philosophical, Sandra! Congrats on being Andrea's fave!

Sandra Haight
Date: 4/28/2016 7:27:00 PM

Thank you so much, Balveen, for the nice comment and congrats! Much appreciated! Hugs, Sandra

Jan Allison

Date: 4/27/2016 12:09:00 PM

Dropping back again Sandra:-) :-) many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx

Sandra Haight
Date: 4/27/2016 1:04:00 PM

Thank you, Jan. Hugs, Sandra

Beautiful Scars

Date: 4/27/2016 11:02:00 AM

wow Sandra, amazing! I can see why its a fave..congrats lady :)-luloo

Sandra Haight
Date: 4/27/2016 1:04:00 PM

Thank you, Luloo! Hugs, Sandra

Skat A

Date: 10/14/2015 9:50:00 PM

Sandra, Congratulations on your win **SKAT**

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 10/12/2015 5:13:00 AM

Congrats on a wonderful win Sandra!

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 10/10/2015 2:18:00 AM

What wisdom you share with this meaphoric message Sandra. Deserving of your second place win certainly. Congratulations my friend. I am honored to be in your company!

Balveen Cheema

Date: 10/9/2015 9:14:00 PM

Awww Sandra! See-saw is such a beautiful write! Long back I had written something on the same lines, but it is not half as beautiful as yours. Most of all I like ' from the ground does grandeur of the heavens makes it score' classic! Love, Balveen

Charlotte Puddifoot

Date: 10/9/2015 7:38:00 PM

another very good sonnet from you, i like the message in the final couplet; you are adept at this form - congrats on your win in heather's contest! :)

James Inman

Date: 10/9/2015 1:29:00 PM

Beautiful insight from a beautifully written sonnet! Well done, Sandra.

Poet Destroyer A

Date: 4/5/2015 10:42:00 PM

SANDRA, Thank you for the sweet reply to my comment. Have yourself a Happy Easter Love LINDA

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/10/2014 10:30:00 PM

Belated congrats to you too I see. What contest did this win in?

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 10/10/2014 10:29:00 PM

Sandra, I rarely see poets here who can do metrical sonnets. This one is superb!! And the message as well. An outstanding sonnet. so good to see one written well. So I fave this one!

Sandra Haight
Date: 10/11/2014 10:17:00 AM

Thanks so much, Andrea for your supportive comment about this poem. Sonnets are my favorite form to work with, and I have done quite a few. In reply to your other comment, my poem placed in the Teeter-Totter Balance the Load contest. However, I now see that most poets used a real balance technique in creating their poems, and I was suprised that my sonnet placed. Thanks again, Sandra

Dr. Upma A. Sharma

Date: 10/8/2014 7:49:00 AM

Amazing write Sandra! Congrats on huge win!

Sandra Haight
Date: 10/8/2014 9:25:00 AM

Thank you so much, Dr. Upma! Sandra