The poem explores the idea that a person's wishes can have unintended consequences and that one should be careful what they wish for. The speaker of the poem has made a wish out of anger and spite, but soon realizes that the fulfillment of this wish has brought them misery instead of happiness. Through the use of imagery and metaphor, the poem conveys the importance of being mindful of one's desires and considering their potential outcomes.
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox · First published 1888 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical, Social Commentary