William Carlos Williams’ poem The Red Wheelbarrow is a very meaningful poem. Since Williams only wrote it with 16 words, it is a poem that is looked passed for its size. The way that Williams arranges those 16 words though, is the reason why it is extremely powerful. The Red Wheelbarrow is filled with images and ideas that made it very easy to visualize. After reading the poem a couple of times, my first thought was to write about perfection. The second and third lines of the poem gave me the idea that the “the red wheelbarrow glazed with rain” signifies a large amount of water. With a large amount of water, there is no need to worry about dry crops on a farm. The “white chickens” in the fourth line also portray perfection because chickens are expected to lay perfect eggs. The first line of the poem took a while to decode the images. When the poem says, “so much depends upon a red wheelbarrow” it struck me that a wheelbarrow is a very popular tool in farming. A wheelbarrow is used for transporting all sorts of things on the farm. The poem itself could also be a form of imagery. The structure of the poem and the stanzas, in my eyes, are shaped like wheelbarrows. Williams is a poet who doesn’t have to try very hard to paint a picture in somebody’s mind. My second thought about the meaning of the poem was that it was a metaphor for appreciating the little things in life. I feel as if Williams is trying to say that the little things matter in life just as much as the big things do. When he states “so much depends on a red wheelbarrow,” he doesn’t just end the poem by saying that. He continues to write about the beauty of that red wheelbarrow. He further explains what is on that wheelbarrow to help one understand the importance of it. The red wheelbarrow to me signifies something little in life taken for granted. An example would be if someone said they didn’t like their eyes. It’s a shame to say that because so much depends on that pair of eyes. You need that pair of eyes to see. The color may be a problem, or some eyes need glasses, but in the end, that pair of eyes is still there, allowing the ability to see all the beautiful things in life. Without that pair of eyes, appreciation of the big things and little things can no longer exist. Without the red wheelbarrow, things wouldn’t get done around the farm, or wherever it is being used. The little things are needed to get through life. Taking them for granted is an everyday occurrence but stopping and realizing there beauty is a challenge. Williams does an extraordinary job creating a clear image in such a short poem. The imagery in this poem stood out like a sore thumb. The Red Wheelbarrow is not only a short and powerful poem, but it is a poem that inspires one to look beyond something or someone, and realize it’s real worth in life.
The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends upon a red wheel barrow glazed with rain water beside the white
chickens.