The term “care” is wide-ranging and can apply to many different poems written by poets throughout time. A poem that deals with care as a major theme likely contains emotions like empathy, longing, passion, love, and themes like health, equal rights, relationships, and animals.
Care poems consider how important it is to set aside one’s needs and wants and dedicate oneself to loving and supporting someone or something else. This could be a mother selflessly setting aside her dreams to care for her children or a child looking out for their younger sibling while at school.
One might also find poems that define a lack of care. These poems may be written from the perspective of someone hoping to improve themselves and care for those in their life better or someone who is witnessing a need for care.
Care poems are likely to inspire readers to be kinder to those in their life and seek out opportunities to impact those around them in a positive way.
Christina Rossetti’s ‘Goblin Market,’ narrates the fantastical tale of Laura and Lizzie, delving into sin, redemption, and sisterhood.
It is Lizzie's deep care for Laura that drives her to face and confront the goblins. She couldn't watch her sister wither to death and, thus jeopardizing her own life, stood up to the goblins, enduring their violent assault to collect the antidote to save Laura. Lizzie's sacrifice demonstrates her dedication, love, passion, and care for her sister, exemplifying how one sets aside oneself to save and support loved ones. Moreover, when Laura took the antidote, 'That night long Lizzie watched by her,' counted her pulse, 'Felt for her breath,' 'and cooled her face.' The nursing care of Lizzie and the idea of sisterhood in the poem also imply the 19th century organized Anglican sisterhoods that sacrificed luxury and helped and nursed the poor and those in need with the Christian aim of caring and nurturing those in need.
‘Any Human to Another’ by Countee Cullen connects humans through the shared experience of sorrow, advocating empathy and compassion.
This poem asks for universal care and empathy for fellow humans, particularly during bad times. It portrays the effort required for caring by showing sharing grief as a warrior-like brave act of self-sacrifice, as one bears a burden that is akin to getting struck by a blade. Further, it presents a deep care for others wherein others' suffering should pierce one's soul like an arrow, and their sorrows should rest on one's head like a crown as if this noble and kind act of caring needs to be kept above and prioritized. Ultimately, this caring nature among humans will strengthen harmony among humanity.
‘Tea with our Grandmother’ explores culture, family traditions, and the role of grandmothers through everyday actions.
This poem is primarily about the care that grandmothers show through their affection and giving nature in supporting their families. The speaker reflects on small moments, like nursing an ailing husband or caring for her sister even when she herself is unwell, which reveal these women's warmth, resilience, and thoughtfulness. They are portrayed as the backbone of the family.
Shakespeare’s ‘Sonnet 145’ depicts the speaker’s changing emotions in response to the Dark Lady’s words and her amends.
The way the beloved reacts after seeing the speaker in despair suggests that she cares for him deeply. She could not see him so sad, and her heart softened with mercy as she clarified to the speaker that she did not hate him. Further, she shows a tinge of guilt and regret as she teaches herself to greet the speaker in a way that would not hurt him. Thus, the beloved's heartfelt sympathy, reassurance, and practice to keep her future actions in check so as not to hurt the speaker show how much she cares for him.
The ‘Coronation’ by Helen Hunt Jackson can be considered a literary work that represents the topic of power and its instability, the worth of humility, and the desire for self-knowledge.
It is up to the reader to discover the violations or concerns of care in the poem, which is demonstrated by the beggar’s empathy with the king’s question. Although the social positions of the two characters are poles apart, which is clear from the gentle tone used by the beggar, this passage underscores the need to treat people kindly. This aspect brings out the ability of the heart to touch another heart and move a stranger to make a difference by dropping coins in the bucket for the less privileged.
‘Rivers to the Sea’ by Sara Teasdale explores poetry’s turbulent impact, as the moon fails to calm strong emotions.
'Rivers to the Sea' perceives care as an essential theme through the portrayal of the mother figure's actions. She embodies care by striving to soothe and free a troubled heart, illustrating a nurturing, protective instinct. This theme underscores the significance of providing solace and support to those affected by emotional turmoil, emphasizing the idea that caring for others is a fundamental human response.
‘Cuddle Doon’ by Alexander Anderson is a poem about a mother trying to persuade her children to go to sleep. It uses Scots dialect to convey the culture of the speaker and her family.
The mother cares deeply for her sons. That care is the backbone of the poem. She believes that it is important to give her children what they want and need. Even when she knows on some level that she perhaps ought to be more stern with them, she finds it difficult.
‘Message’ by Sara Teasdale captures distant cries, illuminating love’s transformative power, as recognition and affirmation echo through verses.
This poem by Teasdale delicately addresses the topic of care through the speaker's heartfelt response to a distant cry, symbolizing a loved one's voice. The affirmative acknowledgment reflects a deep sense of care, emphasizing the emotional connection. The poem subtly conveys the tender and nurturing aspect of relationships, highlighting the importance of caring for and understanding one another.
‘Let Us Be Midwives’ by Sadako Kurihara is a powerful war-time poem that describes a few moments of despair and a few of hope in the aftermath of the atomic bombing.
The midwife's selflessness and dedication to assisting the young woman in labor demonstrate the power of caring for others, even in the direst circumstances. The poem emphasizes the importance of compassion and collective support, showcasing the transformative potential of care and the healing it can bring.
Night in the basement of a concrete structure now in ruins.
‘The Shepherd’ by William Blake unveils pastoral splendor, echoing sweet praises, symbolizing innocence, and intertwining nature’s mystique with spirituality.
This poem addresses the topic of care through the shepherd's vigilant guardianship of the flock. The poem portrays a nurturing relationship, emphasizing the shepherd's watchfulness and responsiveness to the needs of the sheep. This theme underscores the care and protection provided by the shepherd, highlighting a sense of responsibility and tenderness within the pastoral setting.
‘Pain for a Daughter’ by Anne Sexton is about a mother’s internal conversations while witnessing her daughter’s metamorphosis into a young adult.
The poem is about the care that a mother has for her daughter. The mother knows that her daughter will experience pain in her life, but she also knows that she will experience joy. The mother's care is expressed in her willingness to let her daughter go out into the world and experience all that it has to offer. The mother's care is also expressed in her willingness to be there for her daughter when she needs her. The poem is a reminder that care is not always about shielding someone from pain. Sometimes care is about giving someone the freedom to experience life, even if that means experiencing pain.
‘The Rose’ by Richard Lovelace explores beauty, love, and their brief nature through the symbolism of a rose.
Care is featured in the representation of a rose which is presented as a valuable present from nature. Every single detail in the poem points to the status of the beloved and the fact that just like a rose, she needs to be nurtured and taken care of by her surroundings.
‘A Valediction: Forbidding Mourning’ by John Donne is a metaphysical poem exploring the nature of enduring love.
The entire poem testifies to the speaker's care for his beloved as he comforts her with his love while reminding her of their firm and resilient relationship on the occasion of going away. It is evident that the speaker doesn't want his beloved to worry or cry while he is away as he states - 'So let us melt, and make no noise/ No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move.'
‘Night Song at Amalfi’ by Sara Teasdale weaves celestial silence and sea mystery, exploring love’s ineffable nature and expressive challenges.
This poem addresses the topic of care through the speaker's contemplative quest to express love. The consideration of alternative gestures like weeping or song reflects a caring attitude towards the beloved. The acknowledgment of the challenge in giving silence indicates a thoughtful concern for the intricacies of conveying emotions, adding a layer of care to the poem's thematic exploration.
Alfred Lord Tennyson’s ‘Oenone’ weaves heart-wrenching verses as Oenone, spurned by Paris, faces solitude, despair, and a haunting future.
This poem delicately explores the theme of care as Oenone expresses her deep concern and love for Paris. The poem portrays the nurturing aspect of their relationship, emphasizing Oenone's devotion and protective instincts. Tennyson weaves a poignant narrative that reflects the tender care Oenone provides, creating a nuanced portrayal of love and its inherent responsibilities in the face of impending challenges.
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