The Thickness of Ice
By Liz Loxley
At first we’ll meet as friends
(Though secretly I’ll be hoping
we’ll become much more
and hoping that you’re hoping that too)At first we’ll be like skaters
testing the thickness of ice
(with each meeting
we’ll skate nearer the centre of the lake)Later we will become less anxious to impress
less eager than the skater going for gold.
(The triple jumps and spins
will become an old routine:
we will become content with simple movements).Later we will not notice the steady thaw,
the creeping cracks will be ignored.
(And one day when the ice gives way
we will scramble to save ourselves
and not each other.)Last of all we’ll meet as acquaintances
(though secretly we’ll be enemies,
hurt by missing out on a medal,
jealous of new partners).Last of all we’ll be like children
Having learnt the thinness of ice,
(Though secretly perhaps we may be hoping,
to break the ice between us
and maybe meet again as friends).
Summary of The Thickness of Ice
- Popularity of “The Thickness of Ice”: ‘The Thickness of Ice’ is one of the remarkable literary pieces written by Liz Loxley, a great poet and author. It was first published in 2012. The poem explores various stages of a relationship between two people. It also highlights the fragility and transient nature of their relationship. The poet has also wonderfully described her relationship with her lover, which has added more to the poem’s charm.
- “The Thickness of Ice” As a Representative of Failed Relationship: The poem sheds light on different stages of a relationship, including how it begins and what makes it strong, or fragile. The speaker explains her first meeting with her lover. They first meet as friends and secretly hope to develop a deeper relationship. She compares herself and her partner with skaters, who love to skate on the ice, trying to explore new things with every passing day. At first, the relationship has childlike excitement. However, after some time, the charm fades away, and instead of enjoying new movements and turns, they simply tolerate and adore the casual movements together.
Eventually, the coldness between them intensifies, and the ice cracks, placing them at two different sides. Their separation leads them to choose different paths and new partners. This dramatic change in their relationship helps them understand the fragility and weakness of a relationship. Although they long to get along as friends, the gap between them seems impossible to bridge. - Major Themes in “The Thickness of Ice”: The fragility of relationships, friendship, and sorrow are the major themes of this poem. The poem centers on a relationship that starts with a happy note but ends in despair. The speaker beautifully illustrates each stage of her relationship with her partner. Yet, on a deeper level, she tries to make us understand that all that glitter is not gold. One moment we are delighted or charmed with something or someone, and the next moment same thing, or same the person loses attraction. The speaker and her lover start their journey, believing their relationship will last. Unfortunately, their feeling becomes dull with time, resulting in the loss of dreams they once dreamed.
Analysis of Literary Devices Used in “The Thickness of Ice”
literary devices are powerful tools that enable the writer to convey his feeling more effectively to the audience. Liz Loxley has also used some literary devices in this poem to share her unique ideas with the readers. The analysis of literary devices used in this poem is given below.
- Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line. For example, the sound of /ee/ in “Though secretly perhaps we may be hoping”.
- Alliteration: Alliteration means the occurrence of the same sound at the beginning of the words coming in quick succession. For example, the sound of /m/ in “much more” and the sound of /w/ in “we will.”
- Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line. For example, the sound of /n/ in “Having learned the thinness of ice” and the sound of /s/ in “And one day when the ice gives way.”
- Enjambment: It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break; instead, it rolls over to the next line. For example,
“At first we’ll meet as friends
(Though secretly I’ll be hoping
we’ll become much more
and hoping that you’re hoping that too)”
- Irony: Irony is a figure of speech in which words are used a way that their intended meaning is different from the actual meaning of the words. The title of the poem is ironic as it hints at a cold season but the poem is about how relationships suffer a decline.
- Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. For example, “At first we’ll be like skaters”, “the creeping cracks will be ignored” and “we’ll skate nearer the center of the lake.”
- Simile: It is a device used to compare something with something else to make the meanings clear to the readers. The poet used this device at many places in the poem such as “At first we’ll be like skaters”, “Last of all we’ll meet as acquaintances” and “Last of all we’ll be like children.”
- Symbolism: Symbolism means to use symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings different from their literal meanings. The skill of skating in the poem highlights the development and demise of the relationship.
Analysis of Poetic Devices Used in “The Thickness of Ice”
Poetic and literary devices are the same, but a few are used only in poetry. Here is the analysis of some of the poetic devices used in this poem.
- Free Verse: Free verse is a type of poetry that does not contain patterns of rhyme or meter. This is a free-verse poem with no strict rhyme or meter.
- Quatrain: A quatrain is a four-lined stanza borrowed from Persian poetry. Here first, second and fifth stanzas are quatrains.
Quotes to be Used
The line stated below is suitable for a lover to express a lasting experience and excitement when the relationship is new.
“At first we’ll be like skaters
testing the thickness of ice
(with each meeting
we’ll skate nearer the centre of the lake”