This short volume contains two of William Blake's early poetic works published in 1789 and 1794. The Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience contrast two states of man in simple, lyrical verse that is songlike.

The 23 Songs of Innocence speak of childhood with its purity, unspoiled and ideal point of view. Easy to read and comforting with images of nature and praise for the divine.

The 21 Songs of Experience have a darker mood sharing the disillusionment that can occur as one grows and sees the wider world of man and his effect.

They are counterparts of each other. Two poems in particular illustrate the contrast. "The Lamb" and The "Tyger" reveal the paradox of good and evil as he ponders on the spiritual nature.

His small works here serve to show his idea that poems should "delight and instruct" and come from personal experience and in the tradition of the the ancient bards and prophets.

I like the simple style with lyrical rhythm and rhyme, which makes the poems fun to read and easy to remember. Also the depth of query and observation underneath the visions. They are a delight to read.

William Blake was an English visionary artist. philosophical and spiritual poet whose brilliance was later praised as original and genius, influential from the English Romantic poets to the Beat generation.

Blake was often inspired by his spiritual visions so could sometimes be controversial in his expression. He wrote at a time when there was much unrest and change so his views of religion structure and politics made him idiosyncratic.

He is said to have sung the verses in these and was a brilliant engraver and illustrator so original works contained images. His faithful connection to his divine light never waned.

He was married to Catharine Boucher, for forty-five years til his death and she helped him with his works.

I would recommend it as it is a easy way to begin to look at Blake's poetry. It has lovely nature images, praise for the Divine and then later the images in the world that make us question.

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