Earth's Answer

by William Blake — a poem card from Justes Mots

Earth personified as a suffering, chained figure laments her imprisonment by patriarchal authority and jealous control, denying her natural joy and fertility. Blake uses the female earth as a symbol of suppressed potential and freedom constrained by selfish power. The poem resonates with themes of oppression, loss, and the yearning for liberation.

Earth raised up her head
From the darkness dread and drear,
Her light fled,
Stony, dread,
And her locks covered with grey despair.

"Prisoned on watery shore,
Starry jealousy does keep my den…

Themes: sympathy · grief · reflection · long-distance