God Gave a Loaf to Every Bird,
God Gave a Loaf to Every Bird, - meaning Summary
Contentment Despite Scarcity
The speaker contrasts a modest portion—a "crumb"—with the abundant provisions given to others, choosing to value possession and gratitude over hunger or envy. Rather than lament scarcity, she treats the crumb as a personal luxury and proof of providence, transforming small sufficiency into psychological sovereignty. The poem explores how perspective, acceptance, and imaginative revaluation can make poverty bearable and invert conventional ideas of wealth and power.
Read Complete AnalysesGod gave a loaf to every bird, But just a crumb to me; I dare not eat it, though I starve,– My poignant luxury To own it, touch it, prove the feat That made the pellet mine,– Too happy in my sparrow chance For ampler coveting. It might be famine all around, I could not miss an ear, Such plenty smiles upon my board, My garner shows so fair. I wonder how the rich may feel,– An Indiaman–an Earl? I deem that I with but a crumb Am sovereign of them all.
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