# Apology explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ring Lardner.

## What happens

The narrator humorously confesses to being easily distracted by physical challenges like climbing roofs, walls, and trees, which leads to neglecting his work.

## Themes in this chapter

### Humor and Satire

The poem uses self-deprecating humor and playful exaggeration to mock the narrator's procrastination.

### Work and Profession

The narrator contrasts his playful activities with his neglected work, highlighting a tension between duty and distraction.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown Narrator

The speaker who admits to avoiding work in favor of playful physical feats.

## Key lines

> I hardly ever see a roof Which doesn’t shout, “Walk me, you goof!”

Every roof I see seems to dare me to walk on it.

_The narrator personifies roofs as taunting him into climbing them._

> I fear that I’m inclined to shirk What (laughingly) I call my work.

I admit I tend to avoid what I jokingly refer to as my work.

_The narrator acknowledges his procrastination with ironic humor._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters/apology
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_19_se/chapters