"Infant Sorrow" is a poem by William Blake, published in his collection "Songs of Innocence and Experience." The poem explores the theme of birth and the sorrow that comes with it, as the speaker laments the loss of the innocent and carefree life of the unborn child.
The poem begins with the line "My mother groaned, my father wept," which immediately sets the tone of sorrow and pain. The speaker describes the process of birth as a violent and traumatic experience, with the mother groaning in agony and the father weeping in despair. This creates a sense of tension and discomfort, as the speaker presents birth as something that is not only physically painful, but also emotionally distressing.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the loss of the unborn child's innocence and carefree existence. The speaker compares the child's life before birth to that of a "newly sprung" and "joyous" lamb, free to roam and play in the fields. However, with the onset of birth, the child is forced to leave this idyllic existence and enter the harsh and cruel world, where they are subjected to toil, pain, and suffering. The speaker expresses regret at the child's loss of innocence and freedom, and wishes that they could remain in their "happy innocence" forever.
Throughout the poem, Blake uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey the emotions and experiences of the speaker. The use of the lamb as a metaphor for the unborn child adds a sense of innocence and vulnerability, while the descriptions of the mother's groans and the father's tears add a sense of raw emotion and pain. The poem also employs a sense of sorrow and regret, as the speaker looks back on the child's lost innocence and wishes that they could remain in their carefree state.
In conclusion, "Infant Sorrow" is a powerful and emotive poem that explores the theme of birth and the loss of innocence that comes with it. Blake uses vivid imagery and raw emotion to convey the sorrow and regret of the speaker, and presents birth as a violent and traumatic experience that marks the end of an idyllic and carefree existence.
