Another Poem by William Blake: "The Fly"

"The Fly" has a very similar rhythm to "The Sick Rose." Each stanza is four lines long. William Blake is contemplating the differences between a man and a fly. He realizes that he and the fly are not that different. His life could be snuffed out by some random chance just as easily and as quickly as he brushes away the fly's life. They also both have lives that they live from day to day. The life of the fly and the life of the man are both equally significant, or insignificant, depending on what your point of view is. There are many flies, and many people; the death of a man is an insignificant tragedy. Just like the death of the fly, the death of a man, while tragic, will hardly be noticed contrasted with the big-picture. So, the poet lives out his days until chance comes and brushes his life away. The poet should be happy while he is alive, even though his life is so insignificant. When he dies he should still be happy, because his death will allow for new life to take his place. The last two stanzas of this poem are a bit difficult to interpret.