The poem is a lamentation of the clergyman's loss and a tribute to his deceased wife. It explores themes of grief, mortality, and the afterlife. The speaker expresses sorrow at the clergyman's bereavement and acknowledges the depth of their love for one another. The poem also touches on the idea that death is not an end, but rather a transition to a better life.
By Phillis Wheatley · First published 1773 · Genre: Elegy, Religious Poetry, Lyric Poetry