E: The poem talks about how the grandchild will remember playing pretend with the grandparent even when they are grown up.

E: "Playing pretend" represents the fun and special times they shared and memories made.

L: So, "playing pretend" symbolizes the deep bond between the grandparent and grandchild.

The poem talks about how Colleen thought that the grandfather was three and was her romping mate.

"romping mate" represents that Colleen and the grandfather had fun together.

So, "romping mate" symbolizes the deep bond between Collen and the grandfather.

E: "Will you then remember when you were two, And I was three and we went giddy-up, choo-choo?"

E: This shows that they were so close that Collen thought her grandfather was only one year older than her when he is actually way older.

L: Therefore. the thought that the grandfather was three reveals the strong bond between Collen and her grandfather.

E: "When you walk in church a bride radiant/and I in bed unable to walk and attend"

E: "Walk" and "unable to walk" highlights the difference between their ages. It also shows how the grandfather is not even well enough to be out of bed despite wanting to attend due to his close relationship with his granddaughter.

L: Thus, his granddaughter's wedding shows how their relationship is restricted as they grow older.

E: the image of 'you were two/And I was three and we went giddy-up choo-choo? '

E: It shows Colleen and her grandfather playing together and having a great time together, representing their shared fun and joy. it also shows how dues to his companionship, the eventually began to have a strong bond.

L: therefore, the fact that her grandfather accompanied her throughout his childhood and played with her shows that they had a strong bond.

E: The phrase 'walk in church' this shows that from a little girl to a teen and than now a wife.

E: The church could also represent a new chapter of her life and another milestone. This shows that as they grow older their bond still lasts despite the many different things they experience.

L: Therefore, the grandparent's wish to stay with her throught he many stages of Colleens life shows their deep bonds

E:This is seen in the line "When you thought I was three and your romping mate"

E:The word "romping" suggests a playful and energetic activity, while "mate" indicates a sense of companionship and camaraderie that Colleen had with her grandfather as she spent time playing together with him.

L: Hence, 'romping mate' symbolizes the sense of fellowship and tough bond that exists between Colleen and her grandfather.

E: This is shown in the line 'your grandpa and our shared childhood'

E: The grandpa and Colleen had a wonderful time playing when Colleen was a child, and they have a bond that will always be remembered. They had things in common with the use of the word 'shared' emphasising the common childhood they had that lead to their close relationship

L: Thus, having a 'shared childhood' shows that they will always have something in common that will hold their strong relationship together

e:the poem talks about how colleen will play and romp with her granddaughter just like her grandfather did with her when she was young.

e:"and you play and romp with grandchild too" shows the special memories they share about the past when they played together and were romping mates

l:therefore, "play and romp with grandchild too"shows the enduring bond between grandparent and grandchild that transcends the shift in generations

E: the poem talks about the persona and the persona's great-granchild talking "in our baby ga-ga".

Exp: this shows that the persona can understand the words of the infant great-granchild, and that they have a very strong bond. this is also further amplified by the use of the word "only", suggesting that no one else understands their language.

L: thus, the image of the persona and the persona's great-grandchild interacting with each other is a sign that they have a strong bond.

e: the poem talks about how colleen was two and thought her grandfather was three and that they used to be romping mates.

e: "romping" represents the fun and playful feeling that was shared between colleen her grandfather. "mates" represents the closeness between them despite the difference in age

l: therefore, "romping mates" represents the deep bond between colleen and her grandfather

E:This is shown in the line 'When you thought I was three and your romping mate'

E:The line shows how the grandfather, despite their age difference, was able to play and communicate with the two year old Colleen as if he was the same age, strengthening the bond between them in the poem. This is also seen throughout the poem when the grandfather asks if Colleen remembers when he was her romping mate throughout the poem as she grows up, implying if Colleen will remember the close bond between them even when he is gone and she is grown up

L:Thus, the image of 'romping mate' represents the close bond made between the grandfather and Colleen.

E: The poem talks about how the grandpa remembers all the times the played together and the memories

E: "our" represents the parts they both play in creating that childhood. Shows that it is not only the girl's it is part of the grandpa. Something that will be remembered in time to come. "shared" highlights the memories shared which helped to forge their bond

L: Hence "our shared childhood" represents the bond created through experiences and remembered by fond memories.

E: 'And I was three and we went giddy-up, choo-choo' referring to the playful games they shared when Colleen was young.

E: This image of a horse ride ("giddy-up") and a train sound ("choo-choo") reflects the joy they experienced together and their playful personalities. It shows the closeness and mutual bond, showing how their connection was built on shared playful moments.

L: The "giddy-up, choo-choo" image symbolizes their strong bond and connection built over time. Both being a mode of transport, they represent progress and moving forward together in a journey of age.

E: The poem talks about when Colleen and grandfather playing together when she was two, and Colleen thinking grandfather is around the same age as her.

E: "romping" represents Colleen and grandfather playing in an energetic and noisy way, and "mates" represents the deep connection they have with each other. Although they have a significant age difference, they can play with each other, emphasising the strong bond they have.

L: Hence, "romping mates" represents the deep bond between Colleen and her grandfather.

E: The poem talks about how Colleen and her Grandfather were 'romping mates' and played with each other.

E: 'Romping mate' symbolizes the playful relationship between the two and their many happy memories of each other.

L: So, 'romping mate' illustrates the playful bond between Colleen and her grandfather.

e: the image of "when you were two and i was three and we went giddy-up, choo-choo?"

e: this suggests that colleen and her grandfather had played together and had a memorable time in the past, showing the happiness and fun they shared when playing together. it was because of their shared play that they had formed a close bond, their experiences and times together being very memorable as well.

l: hence, the fact that colleen had spent a lot of her childhood with her grandfather and their playtimes showed that they had a strong bond

E: 'When you thought I was three and your romping mate'

E: The word 'romping' shows that Grandfather and Colleen used to play with each other in a noisy and fun way. Then, the word 'mates' convey the close relationship they had with each other. Despite there age gap, they can play and have fun with each other.

L: Thus, the phrase shows the deep connections between Grandfather and Colleen

E: “you thought i was three and your romping mate.”

E: this shows that although colleen’s grandfather was way pass the age of three, due to colleen’s imagination and creativity as a child, she imagined that her grandfather was three therefore building a strong bond as the ‘age gap’ between both of them were gone. the idea of being her romping mate suggests that they were close and sort of like best friends that were inseparable.

L: thus showing a strong indestructible bond between both parties.