The Ball Poem Notes Poem 3 English Class 10

Notes For All Chapters English First Flight Poems Class 10 CBSE

1. About the Poem

• Poet: John Berryman
• Type: Reflective, serious poem
• Tone: Thoughtful, sad, yet full of learning.
• Subject: A boy loses his ball and learns about loss and responsibility.

2. Central Idea

• The poem shows how a small incident (losing a ball) can teach big lessons about life.
• Loss is a natural part of growing up.
• We must learn to accept it and stand strong.

3. Stanza-wise Explanation

🏀 Stanza 1 – The Loss

• A boy loses his ball as it bounces into water.
• Though a ball is cheap, he feels deep sorrow because of emotional attachment.

💭 Stanza 2 – Understanding Grief

• He stands still, trembling and staring at the water.
• All his memories (“young days”) seem to have gone with the ball.
• The poet does not disturb him, as this is his personal moment.

🌱 Stanza 3 – Learning Responsibility

• Buying another ball will not replace the old one.
• The boy realises that things will be lost in life, and no one can buy back memories.
• He begins to feel responsibility in “a world of possessions”.

🌊 Stanza 4 – Acceptance and Growth

• Money is external; it cannot buy back what is gone.
• The boy learns the “epistemology of loss” – understanding the nature of losing something.
• He learns to stand up and face life bravely, as everyone must.