The Watcher

Summary

"The Watcher" is a poignant story-poem about a witness to the struggles of a woman who steals bread to feed her child amidst a backdrop of natural beauty and personal hardship.

Abstract

The narrative "The Watcher" unfolds with women lamenting their sorrows nightly, while the narrator observes the serene yet stark landscape of a yellow moon ascending over fields blanketed in snow. Amidst this scene, a woman resorts to stealing bread to nourish her starving child, a testament to her desperation. The physical and emotional toll of her plight is palpable, as the narrator describes the pain eating away at her, juxtaposing her silent struggle with the whispered prayers of praise that escape his lips. The poem, copyrighted in 2020 by Harley King, captures a moment of raw human experience against the indifferent beauty of nature.

Opinions

The narrator seems to be a detached observer, emphasizing the contrast between the woman's dire circumstances and the tranquil, moonlit setting.
The act of stealing bread is portrayed not as a crime but as a mother's desperate attempt to provide for her child, eliciting empathy rather than judgment.
The poem suggests a critique of the societal systems that leave a mother in such a desperate situation, having to steal from "the Maker's table."
The narrator's muttering of hymns of praise while witnessing the woman's suffering may imply a sense of helplessness or a coping mechanism in the face of human tragedy.
The poem evokes a sense of injustice and the harsh realities of poverty, as well as the resilience and strength of those who endure it.

The Watcher

A Story-Poem