The Afterwake by Adrienne Rich is a feminist poem. The poem presents a woman or a nurse who has nursed someone throughout the night and then become conscious of her own strenuous (tiresome) journey that would begin. She has a long way to go and many things to do.
To My Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet is a personal poem written in the name of the poetess's husband. It is also a typical puritan poem. The poem offers modern readers insights into puritan attitudes toward love, marriage and God. In the poem, Bradstreet proclaims her great love for her husband and his for her. She values their love more than any earthly riches and the hopes that their physical union on earth signifies the continuation of their spiritual union in heaven. Bradstreet views earthly love as a sign of spiritual union and salvation, rather than as something profane or lowly.