Houses With Tears

Out of all the poems for the grueling poetry papers that I had to write, "Sestina" by Elizabeth Bishop, proves as my favorite one.  The imagery and contrast between child and grandmother clearly conveys that, "Everything matters" (Currie 276). One acts innocently, unexposed the the world, while the grandmother has proved a seasoned veteran of life's conflicts.  However, the idea that the child is a seed and that the grandmother serves as a guiding figure presents the image of "a warm blanket of humanity" (Currie 302).  Clearly, the grandmother does not want to child stained as a result of exposure to traumatizing events.  The rain, the almanac, and the other objects in Bishop's poem remain personified and display comfort to the grandmother, yet clearly remind her of the tragic event that she evidently weeps over.  However, the innocent child remains unaware of this and continues to draw houses.  Although these pictures also have elements of sadness and images resembling tears, the child does not seem sad or shaken.  The mental state of the child conveys that "anything, anything, anything is possible" (Currie 302).  I love this poem because of all of the complexity of the events that occur in the poem.  The personification and contrast in characters add to the complex meaning of the poem and allow it to stand out in my mind.