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.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2014

Poem

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12
Toney Avatar
March 8, 2025 at 12:44 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.
Haight Avatar
March 9, 2025 at 5:21 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
Goldsmith Avatar
August 25, 2020 at 10:17 AM
Congratulations on your win. A wonderful write. As a kid I loved playing on the see-saw. Enjoy your win and day...................
Gauthier Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 11:56 AM
Awesome first post with a very significant message. Congrats on your six years with PoetrySoup, Sandra.
Andresen Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 3:55 AM
- Congratulations on your win, Sandra ... I remember how exciting it was to post my first poem :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Ermine Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 3:50 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.
One Avatar
August 24, 2020 at 3:37 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.
Watt Avatar
February 14, 2020 at 3:36 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.
Haight Avatar
February 16, 2020 at 3:08 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 :)
Barden Avatar
January 6, 2019 at 6:32 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
Haight Avatar
January 6, 2019 at 7:38 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
Ashley Avatar
November 22, 2017 at 8:20 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!
Haight Avatar
November 28, 2017 at 7:24 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
Rodrigues Avatar
September 6, 2017 at 11:46 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.
Haight Avatar
November 28, 2017 at 7:23 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
A   Avatar
May 1, 2016 at 7:05 PM
Sandra, Congratulations on your win in Andrea's fave contest. XOX - LINDA
Cheema Avatar
April 28, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Very philosophical, Sandra! Congrats on being Andrea's fave!
Haight Avatar
April 28, 2016 at 7:27 PM
Thank you so much, Balveen, for the nice comment and congrats! Much appreciated! Hugs, Sandra
Allison Avatar
April 27, 2016 at 12:09 PM
Dropping back again Sandra:-) :-) many congrats on your win:-) hugs Jan xx
Haight Avatar
April 27, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Thank you, Jan. Hugs, Sandra
Scars Avatar
April 27, 2016 at 11:02 AM
wow Sandra, amazing! I can see why its a fave..congrats lady :)-luloo
Haight Avatar
April 27, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Thank you, Luloo! Hugs, Sandra
A  Avatar
October 14, 2015 at 9:50 PM
Sandra, Congratulations on your win **SKAT**
A. Sharma Avatar
October 12, 2015 at 5:13 AM
Congrats on a wonderful win Sandra!
Marcum Wong Avatar
October 10, 2015 at 2:18 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!
Cheema Avatar
October 9, 2015 at 9:14 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
Puddifoot Avatar
October 9, 2015 at 7:38 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! :)
Inman Avatar
October 9, 2015 at 1:29 PM
Beautiful insight from a beautifully written sonnet! Well done, Sandra.
A   Avatar
April 5, 2015 at 10:42 PM
SANDRA, Thank you for the sweet reply to my comment. Have yourself a Happy Easter Love LINDA
Dietrich Avatar
October 10, 2014 at 10:30 PM
Belated congrats to you too I see. What contest did this win in?
Dietrich Avatar
October 10, 2014 at 10:29 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!
Haight Avatar
October 11, 2014 at 10:17 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
A. Sharma Avatar
October 8, 2014 at 7:49 AM
Amazing write Sandra! Congrats on huge win!
Haight Avatar
October 8, 2014 at 9:25 AM
Thank you so much, Dr. Upma! Sandra
Mehta Avatar
October 8, 2014 at 5:57 AM
Nice write on life, congrats on the win, Sandra
Haight Avatar
October 8, 2014 at 9:26 AM
Dr. Ram, thank you for your congratulations and nice comment. Sandra
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