A Child's Thought by Bertha Moore

Bertha Moore is a notable poet who flourished in Victorian England. This poem written in "baby talk" was extremely popular at the time. Baby talk was viewed as a feminist, promoting the beauty of a woman's mind. This poem also appears in Milton's "Paradise Lost."

To understand this poem a person should realize that it is a depiction of a child speaking about the concerns of their day. There is an innocence though they challenge God in saying life could be better. Having problems like a hurt tooth, primrose, mom and boys pale when compared to the issues of the world seem harmless, yet the child still agrees God should shoulder fix everything, so she may continue being a happy girl. However, she understands if all of the people in the world have problems it is difficult helping everyone.

First, Moore addresses one of the basic pains a child feels; regardless of who they are, teeth growing in hurts. It is true, no matter how young and innocent there is an amount of pain associated with living. Though most of us forget, there is an automatic sympathy and nothing anyone can do to take away someone's physical pain.

I would not let the babies cry
Because veir tooths was coming froo.
I'd make them born wif tooths all white,
And curly hair upon veir heads

Primrose has a duel meaning, since they are also associated with polite society. They smell sweet and inviting, but sigh as they pass. By having a nurse in this part of the poem a person has to wonder if the child is ill. This may be why she is concerned about, "God, up in the sky." However, it brings attention to the feeling of being left out or rejected. The primrose is afraid the girl will tread on them. It is a warning to fit in and obey the rules of society.

She wants her mom's headache to go away, only to make her happy. The idea of having an angel distract her is amusing and seems like something a child would say. Where the basis behind this belief comes from eludes me. It probably related to a cliche. However, the mother is in pain, while the father is in good health.

It bothers me she wants to get rid of the male gender at such a young age. She loves her father. While not saying she hates all men, she wants her only competition to go away. This relationship could be feminist. She has a rivalry against her brother, while still appreciating men, which could represent the older generation.

Overall it is an interesting poem and inspires nostalgia in a positive way. It reminds people of youth and humbles people before God. The metaphor is that we are God's children and like children to God; however, God is up in the sky. We must face in life, perhaps we do not know what is best. The new generation of men and women, though different, are equal.

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