Anne Bradstreet reading response

When reading a poem, it can sometimes be difficult to understand what an author is trying to say. Poems, unlike novels or essays, can be quite short at times, giving the reader less text in which to find the underlying meaning. However, in some cases, with poems like that of Anne Bradstreet, it is true that less is more. Bradstreet uses less words to create a more powerful and deeper message than some writers do with an entire novel. Her incredible use of diction and syntax leap off the page and leave the reader wanting more. Bradstreet is truly a gifted poet and because of the way she writes she is able to connect with her reader in amazing ways. Even now so many centuries later, readers are able to connect with her and understand where she is coming from.
Syntax can be a very powerful writing tool when used in the right hands. Bradstreet effectively uses this tool, and even uses it in a unique way. Most writers like to ease into their writing. Not necessarily meaning the start off slow, but they usually do not introduce their point until later in a piece. However, Bradstreet is unique in that she starts off right away with her point. There is no beating around the bush, there is no leading up to a great climax, it just simply starts with her feelings. Right away she says "If ever two were one, then surely we." (Bradstreet, line 1). She starts out with such a powerful line, and it is the first line of her poem! Right away the reader knows this is her true feelings. Some might argue it is not a powerful first line, but if you think about what she is saying, you can see the power this line truly has. She is talking about the unity between her and her husband, and not only that, but she is also saying that they have a deeper connection than any other couple. In other words, she is saying that her and her husband were made for eachother; they are a perfect match. How beautiful is that? Not only is it a truley intense beginning but it sets up the rest of the poem. Her choice of arranging that sentence to be the first sentence worked out really well for this poem. But there is more to this poem than just a strong first line.
Another literary tool that Bradstreet uses to her advantage is diction. Most writers when writing about love might never actually come out and say the word "love", however, Bradstreet does not appear to be like most writers. She comes right out and says the word "love", in fact, she uses it repeatedly throughout the piece. It is an interesting word choice because by coming out and just saying the word, it leaves room for metaphors that are more easily understood. Her use of metaphors in and of themselves could be argued as a use of diction. When love is used as a theme of a poem, it is often followed by cliche, and sometimes corny, metaphors. This is not the case with Bradstreet. She says "My love is such that rivers cannot quench" (Bradstreet, line 8). She shows how great her love is here and she does it eloquently. She does not simply say, 'even a river could not quench my thirst', for example, but she says it in a way that is not so plain. The way she wrote this metaphor shows more intensely how great her love is and how nothing could change the way she feels. The last place that diction really sticks out in her poem is the last sentence. She says "That when we live no more, we may live ever" (Bradstreet, line 12). This line is a perfect ending for her poem. In this line, she is basically saying that the love she and her husband share is so passionate that even when they die their love for eachother will go on. Expressively written, the reader can feel the true love behind the words she writes. Her words touch the reader and it opens up a new world to them.
To say that poetry was Anne Bradstreet's "thing" would be a horrible understatement. The way her words flow off the page makes reading her poems quite enjoyable. She has an amazing way of connecting with her readers that is difficult to explain. They say a great writer leaves their readers wanting more, and that is just what Bradstreet does. She was indeed a poet way ahead of her time.