In construction, scaffolding is the wooden and metal apertures used on the exterior of buildings for a variety of projects, from maintenance to construction to restoration. Seeing scaffolding on a structure implies that workers are doing a variety of possible tasks to build, strengthen, or reinforce that structure. Even if a structure is weak or unstable, workers can use scaffolding to rectify the weakness. Scaffolding is never used to purposefully make a structure weaker.

In Heaney’s poem, the speaker describes how using scaffolding is one of the first things masons must complete when they start a construction project. The masons erect and then “test out the scaffolding” (Line 2) to ensure it “won’t slip” (Line 3) and to “secure” and “tighten” any loose parts (Line 4). The scaffolding in Heaney’s poem represents the work put into the “structure” of a relationship. Just as construction scaffolding is used to provide support and strengthen buildings, relationship scaffolding is symbolic of the work and support that goes into building and bolstering relationships between friends, family, and loved ones. It may represent forgiveness, time, energy, effort, caring, love, or communication. It is any “tool” used to help solidify a connection between two people. When masons finish constructing a building, all of the scaffolding “comes down when the job’s done” (Line 5).