A Grain of Sand
The speaker describes the significance of human life in comparison to a grain of sand. She considers both the grain of sand and human life small in nature. For example, she says the span measured around human life seems little. Its years are fleeting, with every joyful and painful moment. The speaker even describes humanity as atoms while questioning God's care for us. She marvels at the grain of sand being so small yet says God lovingly created a purpose for it. Therefore, she concludes that her life has to have much greater significance as a person full of life, with the power to live out God's will. The speaker talks about being fashioned by God's hand and having a special place in the heavenly realms. Overall, this poem has a reassuring message about embracing the security of spirituality.
Bury Me In A Free Land
This poem is about the speaker's desire to not be buried in a land of slaves after she has died. Although she is referring to the United States as the land of slaves, she could also be referring to any land of slaves. She vividly describes the horrors of slavery that would interfere with her ability to sleep in her grave. This includes being aware of slaves receiving lashes until they bleed and bloodthirsty bloodhounds capturing their prey (slaves), etc. This poem speaks against and magnifies the atrocities of slavery to the point of them disturbing the dead's rest (although not literally). She wants the reader to know these atrocities are not easily swept under the rug or brushed aside. Being buried in a land of slaves feels like an abomination to the speaker.
Mother's Treasures
The speaker describes cherishing her children's lives in this poem. She named them Will and Edna. She deeply imagines the kinds of accomplishments they could have in the world. This includes gaining riches and fame as well as having a fair and spotless name. Dwelling on these things brings her heart immense joy, which she admits in the poem. What she wants most of all is for her children to live pure, wholesome lives and be holy in God's sight. Yet she doesn't wish for them to have completely easy lives. She wants them to endure life's hardships with strong faith and integrity. It's a beautiful, thoughtful poem that shows the longing of a mother's heart.
