I’ve been sharing an Irish love poem every week, and the poem Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney is definitely worth its feature. ‘Scaffolding‘ is one of Seamus Heaney’s first-ever poems, written around the time he married his wife of 48 years, Marie Devlin. A short but touching Irish love poem.
“Scaffolding” by Seamus Heaney is a beautiful love poem that uses the metaphor of building scaffolding to explore the dynamics of a loving and supportive relationship between two individuals. The poem was written for his wife, Marie Devlin, and it elegantly captures the essence of a strong and enduring partnership.
The poem begins with the speaker comparing the strength and steadiness of a scaffolding structure to the love that holds the two individuals together. Scaffolding is a temporary structure built around a building under construction, providing support and stability until the building stands on its own. Similarly, Heaney sees their love as the foundation that supports and strengthens their relationship.
Scaffolding By Seamus Heaney
Never fear. We may let the scaffolds fall
Scaffolding is one of the love poems in Heaney’s first collection, Death of a Naturalist (Faber, 1966). It is usually read as written for Marie Devlin, whom he married in 1965.
It rests on one simple comparison. Builders take great care over their scaffolding at the start of a job, but once the building is up it all comes down, and the solid wall is what is left. Heaney turns that into a word of comfort to the person he loves. If the early supports of a relationship seem to be giving way, it may only be because the thing they held up can now stand on its own.
The poem is written in rhyming couplets, neat and steady like the work it describes, and that calm, confident tone is the whole message. It has become a favourite reading at weddings, and it is easy to see why.
Read the full poem: Scaffolding by Seamus Heaney at Poets.org. You will also find it in Death of a Naturalist (Faber).
In “Scaffolding,” Seamus Heaney celebrates the love he shares with his wife, appreciating the moments of closeness and understanding as well as the occasional distance that their bond can withstand. The poem beautifully captures the complexities of love and the endurance required to build and maintain a strong and lasting connection.