Gerard Manley Hopkins—Spring and Fall p776

When I read this poem I thought of how differently children can view the world. In this reading the little girl is sad because the leaves of the tree are falling to the ground as the new season approaches. Hopkins captures the innocence and deep care of the child. Children care about the smallest thing. Here this girl is grieving just because leaves are falling to the ground. I really love the tenderness of her. I remember as a child, crying when my brother used to jump on ant hills in the front yard; but now I would gladly pour out ant-killer on all the hills that appear in the yard. I think that we should all stay this way; unfortunately, that’s not the case.

Ah! as the heart grows older
It will come to such sights colder
By and by, nor spare a sigh. (lines 5-7)

I think that this line really captures the truth in life. As people grow into adulthood, these deeply caring feelings go away; the smaller things become less important and we become unattached to nature. But is it better to lose that tenderness and care for such small things? Life would be a lot different. I could just imagine—we would be overrun with small insects that we kill so carelessly out of aggravation. So I guess that the way that it is now is how it should be. The innocence of children is what makes them so unique.