The Cornflower, and Other Poems

"The Cornflower and Other Poems" by Jean Blewett is a compilation of poems from the early 1900s that tells stories and explores different topics. The collection often dives into love, the natural world, and how people connect with each other, especially in the countryside. Many poems show characters dealing with common problems and thinking about their own lives, drawing readers into familiar situations full of feeling and understanding. The collection starts off by introducing a character who thinks about the arrival of a new schoolteacher in a farming town on the prairie. As the narrator wrestles with his feelings about her—both liking and disliking her—he thinks about his lonely life, the way the community works, and the difficulties of change. Through both funny and serious moments, the poem examines the ideas of duty, love, and how love can change people, preparing the reader for the emotional stories that follow.