"When The Birds Leave The Nest"
             One of the most awesome and bittersweet joys in life is being a parent. From the day of conception, parents are responsible for the growth and development of their children. The sweet part of being a parent is the strong emotional connection that one forms with his/ her child, and the lasting impression that a parent has on a child. The bitter part of being a parent, however, is coming to terms with a child's independence. Though every child must someday branch out and find his or her own way, the idea of letting go is one of the most difficult and painful matters that a parent can ever experience. It is, however, inevitable. Children begin life as innocent little creatures ready to be molded by their parents and other outside influences; then they develop into complex individuals with their own minds, desires, and styles. In his poem, "The Writer," Richard Wilbur explores a parent's reaction to the reality of his/her child's independence. Naomi Long Madgett, in her poem, "Offspring," also exposes the veracity of a parent coming to terms with the idea that her daughter is no longer a child, but an autonomous young woman. Although both poems demonstrate the harsh realities of a child's coming-of-age, Wilbur and Madgett present two different attitudes about a parent's reluctance to step back and allow his/her child to leave their parental realm of safety. The tone in Wilbur's, "The Writer", suggests that the speaker is reluctant to let go, but proud of what his daughter has become. However, the speaker in "Offspring" appears to be incontent with her daughter's choices, and not so sure about whether or not her daughter will make the right decisions.
             In his poem, "The Writer," Richard Wilbur reveals a very close relationship between parent and child. At the forefront of the poem Wilbur writes: ...