To a Lady and Her Children (Poem by Phillis Wheatley)

To a Lady and Her Children, on the Death of Her Son and their Brother

By Phillis Wheatley

O’erwhelming sorrow now demands my song:

From death the overwhelming sorrow sprung.

What flowing tears?What hearts with grief opprest?

What sighs on sighs heave the fond parent’s breast?

The brother weeps, the hapless sisters join

Th’ increasing woe, and swell the crystal brine;

The poor, who once his gen’rous bounty fed,

Droop, and bewail their benefactor dead.

In death the friend, the kind companion lies,

And in one death what various comfort dies!

    Th’ unhappy mother sees the sanguine rill

Forget to flow, and nature’s wheels stand still,

But see from earth his spirit far remov’d,

And know no grief recals your best-belov’d:

He, upon pinions swifter than the wind,

Has left mortality’s sad scenes behind

For joys to this terrestial state unknown,

And glories richer than the monarch’s crown.

Of virtue’s steady course the prize behold!

What blissful wonders to his mind unfold!

But of celestial joys I sing in vain:

Attempt not, muse, the too advent’rous strain.

    No more in briny show’rs, ye friends around,

Or bathe his clay, or waste them on the ground:

Still do you weep, still wish for his return?

How cruel thus to wish, and thus to mourn?

No more for him the streams of sorrow pour,

But haste to join him on the heav’nly shore,

On harps of gold to tune immortal lays,

And to your God immortal anthems raise.

Poem Analysis:

Phillis Wheatley's poem "To a Lady and Her Children" is a poignant reflection on the overwhelming sorrow experienced upon the death of a beloved family member. Through vivid imagery and emotional depth, Wheatley explores themes of grief, acceptance, and the promise of heavenly reunion.

Expression of Grief: The poem opens with a powerful depiction of sorrow and mourning. Wheatley describes the profound impact of death on the family, evoking imagery of flowing tears, heaving sighs, and oppressed hearts. The collective grief of the family members, including the brother, sisters, and even the poor who were aided by the deceased, underscores the depth of loss experienced by all.

Acknowledgment of Death's Finality: Wheatley captures the finality of death and the cessation of life's essential functions. She portrays the mother's anguish as she witnesses the cessation of her son's heartbeat and the stillness of nature's cycles. Despite the natural inclination to wish for the deceased's return, Wheatley reminds the mourners that death's grip is irreversible and that their beloved has departed to realms beyond mortal reach.

Embrace of Spiritual Comfort: Amidst the sorrow, Wheatley offers solace in the belief of an afterlife filled with celestial joy and eternal peace. She portrays the departed soul as transcending earthly suffering and ascending to heavenly realms where untold glories await. The poem celebrates the virtues and merits of the deceased, emphasizing the rewards of a life lived in accordance with moral principles.

Call to Cease Earthly Mourning: Wheatley admonishes the mourners to cease their earthly lamentations and instead rejoice in the departed's newfound bliss. She encourages them to redirect their sorrow towards spiritual elevation and the anticipation of heavenly reunion. The poem's tone shifts from mourning to exhortation, urging the family and friends to embrace the promise of eternal life and to honor the deceased through heavenly praise.

In conclusion, "To a Lady and Her Children" by Phillis Wheatley is a moving exploration of grief, faith, and the transformative power of spiritual hope. Through her eloquent verses, Wheatley offers a profound meditation on the nature of loss and the enduring comfort found in the promise of eternal salvation.