Balloons- Punctuation, structure & form

''Balloons'' uses punctuation to fragment the poem, creating a much more disjointed atmosphere within the text. Within the first stanza, Plath uses punctuation at the end of each line, creating an apparent structure to the text, until the last line. Where punctuation is avoided in order to make the poem appear to flow using enjambment. However, that is as far as structure is definite within this poem.
The next stanzas use punctuation completely irregularly, and with no apparent formula. This chaotic and random use of a variety of punctuation creates a much more disjointed and tense atmosphere ''When attacked, then scooting to rest, barely trembling'' portrays how Plath uses caesuras and end stops to emphasise not only severity of the situation, but also to reveal the emotional turmoil of the speaker. As the poem progresses, and tension builds, fewer and fewer types of punctuation are used, so the tone of the poem is constant, and unrelenting, Showing the urgency of the speaker, and how they are aware of the climax approaching. So are fervently rushing through the poem, in order to capture the tension and build up of that situation.

When the enjambment of the third and fourth stanzas is interrupted by a comma in the fifth, it slows the poem, showing the turning point. Which creates an effect often found in texts trying to capture the human perception in the climax of a tense situation, time seems to slow down. The turning point of the poem is simply ''He bites,'' the comma showing how the speaker pauses, and the rhythm of the poem slows down utterly. Before leaping into the aftermath, which is finished by ''Shred in his little fist.'', the full stop showing the finality of the tension, and the end of the balloon.

Although the structure within ''Balloons'' is anything but regular, it does appear to have a certain pattern. The lines of each stanza become gradually shorter and shorter, to create a building sense of tension. Additionally,the shortening lines reflects upon the urgency felt by the speaker, and the danger they felt themselves in, as the lines get shorter in order to capture the panic felt by the speaker.

The nature of the poem as free verse, in my opinion, is well suited to the subject of the poem. The poem is a memory, which requires free verse in order to accurately depict the thought process of the human mind, as well as try and characterise human emotions within the structure of the poem. Free verse allows Plath to experiment with the structure and tone of the poem, in order to recreate an authentic reaction towards tension and panic within the human mind. The fluidity of free verse allows the freedom required to recreate such.