Louise Glück

The poet herself, or some version of the poet, is the speaker of several poems in the collection, including the "Matins" and "Vespers" poems. In "Matins (#1)," the poet admits to being a "depressive" (2) and listens to her son Noah explain how he has heard that depressed people do not like springtime. Glück believes her admiration for a particular birch tree is proof that he is incorrect, but Noah believes otherwise. In "Matins (#6)," Glück addresses God in a tone of desperation as she wonders why she has been burdened with an "affliction" (26) (perhaps the aforementioned depression) and states her belief that she is one of God's least-favored creations. However, she takes a very different tone in "Matins (#7)," praising God for the beauty she sees in the world and addressing him as "Dear friend" (31).

In the "Vespers" poems, Glück continues to seek recognition from God...