Poetry

11:00

Summary of the poem:

"11:00 Baldovan" is a poem by Don Paterson that explores the journey of two young boys taking a bus trip without adult supervision. The poem starts with the boys' excitement and imagination about their adventure, but as the journey progresses, it takes on a nightmarish quality. The boys' confidence turns into insecurity as they face an unfamiliar and threatening world. The bus ride becomes a metaphor for growing up and the loss of innocence. When the boys return home, they find their world has changed, and the nurturing forces of their mothers and sisters are gone.

The inspiration for the poem:

The poem appears to be inspired by the universal theme of growing up and the associated fears and uncertainties that come with it. It reflects the transition from childhood innocence to the complexities and challenges of adulthood. The journey of the two boys serves as a metaphor for this transformative process.

The form of the poem:

The poem is written in 15 unrhymed couplets, with each couplet forming a single sentence or idea. This structure helps convey the progression of the narrative from innocence to experience.

Two of the poem's themes:

Growing up:

The poem explores the journey from childhood to adulthood, highlighting the initial excitement and confidence of youth and the subsequent fear and insecurity that accompany the transition. The boys' bus ride symbolizes the process of growing up and facing the unknown.

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Poetry

Quote: "for the first time ever on our own."

• This quote demonstrates the boys' initial sense of independence and excitement about growing up.

Point of development: The boys' journey on the bus represents their first taste of independence, and as they face challenges and uncertainties during the trip, it symbolizes the inevitable process of growing up and leaving behind the safety of childhood.

Loss of innocence:

The poem delves into the loss of childhood innocence and the stark realities of the adult world. The boys' journey exposes them to a world that is unfamiliar, threatening, and unforgiving, eroding their innocence and confidence.

Quote: "our voices sound funny..."

• This quote reflects the boys' realization that they are no longer the children they once were, symbolizing the loss of innocence.

Point of development: The transformation of the boys' voices and their inability to understand what's happening to them represents the loss of their childhood innocence. It signifies the inevitable change that comes with growing up.

Two of the poem's images:

The bus as a charred wreck:

The image of the bus turning into a charred wreck symbolizes the journey of life and the impact of time. It suggests that the passage of time can alter what was once secure and familiar.

Quote: "the bus will let us down in another country..."

• This quote foreshadows the bus's transformation into a charred wreck, signifying the bus's failure and the boys' entry into an unfamiliar world.

Point of development: The image of the bus becoming a charred wreck implies that change and the passage of time can transform the familiar into something unrecognizable, reflecting the challenges and uncertainties of growing up.

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Poetry

The black sea with surreal taste:

The description of the sea as black with a taste like "kelly" (a Dundonian word for sherbet) creates a surreal and unsettling image. This image conveys the idea that even familiar elements can become distorted and unsettling as one grows older.

Quote: "and the rain tastes like kelly and black waves fold in..."

• This quote paints a vivid picture of a sea that has taken on strange and unsettling qualities, symbolizing the unfamiliar and surreal aspects of adulthood.

Point of development: The image of the sea with a taste like sherbet and black waves folding in suggests that the world becomes strange and unpredictable as one grows up, and the sweetness of childhood can be replaced by disconcerting experiences.

Two of the style techniques used in the poem:

Anaphora:

The poem employs the stylistic device of anaphora, with each stanza beginning with the word "and". This repetition creates a sense of urgency and escalating panic as the narrative unfolds, reflecting the boys' growing fear and uncertainty.

Quote: The use of "and" to start each stanza.

Point of development: The anaphora in the poem creates a fast-paced and breathless tone, mirroring the boys' increasing anxiety as they face the unknown during their journey.

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Poetry

Enjambment:

The poem features enjambment, where sentences and ideas flow from one line to the next without pause. This technique enhances the sense of continuous movement and urgency in the poem, emphasizing the boys' emotional journey.

Quote: Lines that continue seamlessly from one to the next.

Point of development: Enjambment contributes to the poem's overall structure and pacing, allowing the narrative to flow and build tension as the boys' journey unfolds.

Two of the language techniques used in the poem:

Metaphor:

The poem uses metaphors to convey deeper meanings and emotions. For example, the phrase "the bus will let us down in another country" is a metaphor for the boys' journey into the unknown world of adulthood. It suggests that the bus, which was initially a symbol of adventure, will disappoint and lead to a disorienting experience.

Quote: "the bus will let us down in another country..."

Point of development: The metaphorical use of the bus reflects the idea that growing up can lead to unexpected and challenging experiences, often far from what was anticipated.

Surreal language:

The poem employs surreal and vivid language to create a dreamlike and unsettling atmosphere. Phrases like "the rain tastes like kelly and black waves fold in" contribute to the sense of disorientation and the unfamiliarity of the world the boys encounter.

Quote: "the rain tastes like kelly and black waves fold in..."

Point of development: The use of surreal language adds to the poem's overall sense of unease and emphasizes the disconcerting aspects of the journey from childhood to adulthood.

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Poetry

Personal Reflection

1. How does the poem's exploration of innocence, experience, and the loss of control resonate with your own experiences of growing up and facing adult responsibilities?

2. What emotions does the poem's transition from excitement to fear evoke, and how does it reflect the uncertainties of life's journey?

3. How does "11:00 Baldovan" make you reconsider the concept of time, change, and the unpredictability of the future in your own life?