The Juggler Poem Analysis

In the poem, “Juggler”, the main character seems to be just a talented person entertaining a crowd of both children and adults as they become mesmerized by his skills. However, the poem really is about the struggle the world is in and how the juggler is the only one who can seem to “shake our gravity up” (line 7). As the speaker shifts between the simple narrative of a crowd being entertained to the tension the the world is in, he reveals his own negative worldview. The speaker starts off the poem by explaining the motion of the balls by stating that “A ball will bounce; but less and less” (line 1). The way a ball bounces,but never back up to its original height attributes itself as, “A light-hearted thing, resents its own resilience” (line 2). This concept can also be used towards the qualities of our own kind; humans. Just like a ball can never reach its highest and most pivotal height,

Imposter figures like the juggler are commonly known for their deceiving tricks to captivate and supply an audience with laughter and magic with just the use of their hands. The juggler’s entertainment is able to upset the gravity and lift the weight of the world allowing the crowd to briefly make their struggles more bearable. The speaker goes on to mention heaven and how it is made of nothingness which equals the lightness making heaven so heavenly. However, the speaker contrasts earth from heaven by stating that, “…a heaven is easier made of nothing at all than the earth regained” (line 13-14) which hints to the fact that maybe the world cannot be redeemed at this point. Even though redeeming the earth is too difficult, perhaps the juggler’s effort to help redeem the world, even for a short moment, by bringing and reawakening the children inside of everybody is able to bring back an opportunity and reason to live and enjoy themselves