The Middle-Aged by Adrienne Rich

I choose this poem because of the new language that it held for me. This poem speaks of the idea of happiness not really being our in our parent's house. It was their happiness and we just lived in it. It was them who made the nice atmosphere and the comfort of our bedrooms. What is interesing to me, poignant maybe, is that when we become middle-aged ourselves is when we are able to see that this was not our happiness in our childhood homes and that all the secrets that you were unaware of are more conscious now. I think that this poem is speaking about public life because it is something that happends to everyone, as believed by the poet. I, believe that you are happy IN your families happiness, you add to it and make it your own. I think that this poets belief is rather negative. I would like to believe that after returing to your childhood home you remember all the great things that occured there and remember the fond memories that were made there. The idea of getting old in a house is happiness, but it is shared with those who occupy it. I'm not sure if I am taking this poem too literally, but I think of this idea of unhappiness and it makes me disagree, that is my stand on the poem.