The Summer I Was Sixteen
By Geraldine Connolly
The turquoise pool rose up to meet us,
its slide a silver afterthought down which
we plunged, screaming, into a mirage of bubbles.
We did not exist beyond the gaze of a boy.Shaking water off our limbs, we lifted ourselves from the ladder rungs onto the fern‑cool lip of the rim. Afternoon, oiled and sated, we sunbathed, rose, and paraded on the concrete,
danced to the low beat of “Duke of Earl”.
Past cherry colas, hot dogs, Dreamsicles,
we came to the counter where bees staggered into root beer cups and drowned. We gobbledcotton candy torches, sweet as furtive kisses,
shared on benches beneath summer shadows.
Cherry, Elm, and Sycamore. We spread our chenille blankets across the grass, pressing radios to our ears,mouthing the old words, then loosening thin bikini straps and rubbing baby oil with iodine across sunburned shoulders, tossing a glance through the chain link at an improbable world.
Summary of “The Summer I Was Sixteen”
- A Glimpse into Youthful Summer Days: “The Summer I Was Sixteen” is a vividly nostalgic poem published in the 1998 collection Province of Fire. The poem captures a specific, almost tactile, memory of a summer spent at a public pool, experienced through the eyes of a teenage girl. It isn’t simply a recounting of events; it’s an immersion into a sensory world of heat, color, sound, and burgeoning self consciousness.
- Central Idea: Innocence, Observation, and the Power of the Gaze: The core of the poem lies in the interplay between youthful exuberance and the awareness of being observed – specifically, by boys. The girls’ actions—swimming, sunbathing, sharing treats—are punctuated by this undercurrent of self consciousness. The poem explores how, during adolescence, the external gaze shapes our sense of self and our experiences.
- A Universal Resonance: Although deeply personal in its imagery, “The Summer I Was Sixteen” speaks to a universal experience—the hazy, idyllic, and sometimes awkward memories of youth, and the way those formative experiences color our understanding of the world.
In-Depth Analysis of the Poem
Structure and Form
The poem is written in free verse, meaning it does not adhere to a strict rhyme scheme or metrical pattern. This choice is crucial because it mirrors the natural, flowing quality of memory. The poem unfolds organically, mimicking the way thoughts and sensations drift through the mind. The use of five stanzas creates a sense of progression, moving from the immediate experience of the pool to a broader contemplation of youth and self consciousness.
Imagery and Sensory Detail
Connolly excels at creating vivid imagery that appeals to all five senses. The poem is saturated with color—the “turquoise pool,” “cherry colas,” and “Dreamsicles.” We can almost feel the heat of the sun on skin, the coolness of the water, and the stickiness of the cotton candy. Sound is also prominent—the “low beat of ‘Duke of Earl,'” the “screaming” as the girls plunge into the water. This sensory richness is what makes the poem so immersive and memorable. For instance, consider the line: “Shaking water off our limbs, we lifted ourselves from the ladder rungs onto the fern‑cool lip of the rim.” The phrase “fern‑cool” is an excellent example of synesthesia, blending the senses of touch and temperature to create a unique and evocative image.
The Significance of the Gaze
The first stanza immediately establishes the importance of the male gaze with the line, “We did not exist beyond the gaze of a boy.” This isn’t simply about attraction; it is about the way young girls are often conditioned to see themselves through the eyes of others. Their actions, their self presentation, are filtered through an awareness of being observed and evaluated. This awareness shapes their experience, creating a sense of both vulnerability and agency. The poem subtly suggests that their “existence” feels contingent on this external validation.
Symbolism and Figurative Language
Several elements in the poem carry symbolic weight. The pool itself can be seen as a symbol of freedom and escape, a temporary refuge from the constraints of everyday life. The “silver afterthought” of the slide hints at the fleeting nature of childhood and the inevitable transition to adulthood. The treats—cherry colas, hot dogs, cotton candy—represent the simple pleasures of youth, but also a certain innocence that is gradually lost. The bees “staggered into root beer cups and drowned” is a particularly striking image, perhaps foreshadowing the loss of innocence or the inevitable challenges of life. The use of simile—”cotton candy torches, sweet as furtive kisses”—adds a layer of sensuality and suggests a budding awareness of romantic desire.
Diction and Tone
The poem’s diction is carefully chosen to create a specific tone, nostalgic, dreamy, and slightly melancholic. Words like “sated,” “furtive,” and “improbable” contribute to this atmosphere. The use of short, fragmented phrases, particularly in the final stanza, creates a sense of immediacy and captures the fleeting nature of memory. The tone isn’t simply celebratory; there is a hint of wistfulness, a recognition that these idyllic moments are transient. Observe the line, “mouthing the old words,” which suggests a disconnect between the girls and their surroundings, as if they are lost in their own thoughts and fantasies.
Use of Enjambment
The poem frequently utilizes enjambment—the continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next—to create a sense of flow and momentum. This technique mirrors the way thoughts and sensations rush through the mind. For example:
mouthing the old words, then loosening thin bikini straps and rubbing baby oil with iodine
across sunburned shoulders, tossing a glance through the chain link at an improbable world.
The enjambment here creates a sense of breathless anticipation, as if the girls are caught in a moment of carefree abandon. It also emphasizes the physicality of their experience—the loosening of straps, the rubbing of oil, the glancing of eyes.
Literary and Poetic Devices Summarized
- Imagery: Vivid sensory details create a powerful and immersive experience for the reader.
- Symbolism: Objects and images carry deeper meanings, representing broader themes and ideas.
- Simile and Metaphor: Figurative language enhances the poem’s expressiveness and creates unexpected connections.
- Enjambment: Creates flow and momentum, mirroring the natural rhythm of thought.
- Free Verse: Contributes to the poem’s natural and organic quality.
- Diction and Tone: Carefully chosen words and a specific tone create a nostalgic and melancholic atmosphere.
“The Summer I Was Sixteen” is a deceptively simple poem that rewards close reading. It is a poignant and evocative exploration of youth, self awareness, and the power of the gaze. It reminds us that even the most fleeting moments can leave a lasting impression and that the memories of our youth continue to shape who we are.