Explore the poem

Written in nine rhyming couplets the soothing pleasing sound of the poem is established by the sibilants in the first line. Thunder soon follows but rather than provoking fear it inspires awe and wonder. It appears that we are on the brink of springtime when the gentle west wind, “zephyr” is felt and the colours and fragrances of spring are experienced.

Notice how in the middle of the poem the charming description of an evening in early spring takes on an unmistakably religious tone. The poet wishes that our God given virtues should “glow” in our breasts as brightly and gloriously as the sky at the moment just before the sun sets. The significance of the title which describes the poem as a “hymn” or a song of praise to God is clearly apparent now as Wheatley refers to God as the giver of “the light” and hopes that refreshed by innocent sleep all men will take on the labours of the day kept safe from the “snares of sin”.

The poem concludes as gently as it began with the multiple, almost whispered “s” sounds in the final couplet creating a sense of peace and tranquillity.

About Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley’s life and achievements are extraordinary. Taken from her home in West Africa by slave traders when she was about seven she was brought to America and in 1761 bought by a prominent Boston family and given their name – Wheatley. Whilst she was expected to perform certain domestic duties Phillis was taught to read and write and began to display impressive intellectual qualities and poetic skills influenced by the Bible and eighteenth century evangelical Christianity.

She published her first and only book of verse, “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral” in 1773. In doing so she became the first African American and first U.S. slave to publish a book of poems. Wheatley spent some time in England and received support from various religious leaders and abolitionists who used their influence to help secure the publication of Wheatley’s book. By now she was a highly acclaimed poet in both England and America but following the death of Mrs Wheatley and other members of the Wheatley family she began to encounter financial difficulties. She married another freed black slave and had children but they were constantly battling poverty and living in squalid conditions. She continued to write and attempted to enlist financial backing for another collection of poetry but to no avail. She died in 1784 in Boston.