Personal Poems, Complete Volume IV of The Works of John Greenleaf Whittier

"Personal Poems, Complete" by John Greenleaf Whittier is a group of poems from the 1800s that shares the deep feelings of a well-known American writer. This collection includes different subjects like losing loved ones, remembering the past, love, fairness in society, and the loveliness of the natural world. These subjects often show the author's Quaker faith and his strong work to end slavery. The book starts with touching poems, beginning with "A Lament," where Whittier is sad about the death of a close friend, showing the strong feeling of sadness and pain that comes with loss. Other poems honor famous people from Whittier's time, like Charles B. Storrs and S. Oliver Torrey, pointing out what they did to help people be free and to stop slavery. The feeling in the poems is thoughtful and sad, filled with respect for the beauty of people's souls and a reminder to remember and act on being kind and fair. This collection lets readers see inside Whittier's heart, emphasizing his dedication to making society better and the lasting nature of love and loss.