"The Sick Rose" - William Blake

William Blake was born in the 18th century and was an English poet and painter. His subjects for many of his pieces were extremely weird or peculiar.

"The Sick Rose"

O Rose thou art sick. 

The invisible worm, 

That flies in the night 

In the howling storm: 

Has found out thy bed

Of crimson joy:

And his dark secret love

Does thy life destroy.

          At first glance, this poem appears to be simply about a rose. However, in this poem, it stands in for something else. Everything in poetry is not what it seems. In many poems, the subject represents more than itself and is used as a metaphor. This rose is a metaphor for love and sexuality, but with the context of this poem it talks about the misuse and destruction of this rose and therefore the corruption of love and sexuality. The diction of this poem helps build onto this idea. Phrases such as "bed" and "crimson enjoy" add a tone of sensuality. Yet, when put in juxtaposition to words such as "night," "secret" and "destroy," it introduces corruption and despair. The destruction of the rose can be seen as similar to the loss of virginity and the misuse of one body. For example, prostitution and being a stripper fall into this category. A rose is usually thought of as sacred and kept hidden. The pedals of the rose keep the all important insides protected. But when this pedals are torn away and the outside world breaks through, the rose becomes stained in sin. The howling storm in this poem is a symbol for the outside world beating tirelessly against the formidable rose trying to get inside and corrupt. Blake goes contrary to the traditional idea of what a rose represents and twists the perspective around. This is one of things that make Blake one of the strangest and idiosyncratic poets of his time.