'Nature' Summary

Nature is a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow that explores the themes of nature, aging, life, and death. The poem begins with a description of a mother putting her child to bed for the night. The mother sings a lullaby to the child, and the child eventually falls asleep. The poem then shifts to a description of an elderly person who is approaching the end of their life. The elderly person is also asleep, and the poem suggests that they are dreaming of their childhood. The poem ends with a reflection on the cycle of life and the inevitability of death. Longfellow writes, "And the mother gave, in dreams, her child / The benediction of her prayers." This line suggests that the mother's love for her child will continue even after she is gone. Nature is a moving and powerful poem that will stay with you long after you finish reading it.