Blake

It may be because I read Blake's Songs of Experience first, many years ago, but every time I read poems from Songs of Innocence a sense of foreboding comes through the words. As I read, I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, the innocence to be shattered and become experience. This feeling is similar to the sense of inevitability felt by those of us who frequent isolated alleys at night. However, the sense of anticipation in Blake's words are not merely based on some intuitive sense dropping lead into a dull pit of the stomach, but can be read and heard in his tangible words.
For instance, the "Introduction" seems light-hearted enough, full of merriment and mirth. Nonetheless, there is weeping mentioned. The second reference is clearly to tears of happiness ("wept with joy"); yet, the first is somewhat ambiguous. Here, before the book is even fully begun, is an intermingling of sorrow and joy. Likewise, "The Shepherd" has a joyful existence, full of wandering and sweet lambs. Then Blake throws in the word "watchful", implying there are things threatening enough to be watched for beyond this blithe herd. Finally, "The Ecchoing Green" ends with the day and the "darkening Green". The children's play is over; the darkness now descends.