[Poem] THE BLOSSOM - Celebrating Life’s Tender Moments in Nature

William Blake’s “The Blossom,” included in his collection Songs of Innocence (1789), captures a serene interplay between nature and innocence through the lens of gentle bird imagery. Two birds—a sparrow and a robin—move near the “happy Blossom,” which stands as both a natural flower and a symbol of nurturing or youthful optimism. The poem’s soft tone underscores themes of compassion, wonder, and emotional sensitivity, as the Blossom takes note of the sparrow’s swift joy and the robin’s quiet sorrow.

Blake’s spare but vivid language highlights the closeness between the Blossom and the birds, with the refrain “Near my Bosom” conjuring a sense of warmth and protection. While the sparrow scene abounds with lively motion—“swift as arrow”—the robin segment shifts to a more somber tone, marked by sobbing. In this way, the poem reflects a dual aspect of innocence: one can be joyful yet equally tender to suffering.

In just twelve lines, Blake suggests that nature itself participates in a shared emotional tapestry. The observer, the birds, and the blossom are intimately connected. This affectionate portrayal of small creatures in a green, leafy setting stands as a gentle reminder that within innocence lies empathy. By offering room for both happiness and sorrow, “The Blossom” remains a hallmark of Blake’s broader attempt in Songs of Innocence to affirm the enriching power of untainted perception.