The Land of Counterpane

The poem opens by introducing a first-person speaker. The speaker notes, “When I was sick […]” (Line 1), immediately establishing a firsthand account of the speaker’s experience. The opening line explains how the speaker remains bedridden from illness by also mentioning “lay a-bed” (Line 1). The speaker next mentions that “[t]wo pillows” are located at the top of the bed “at [the speaker’s] head” (Line 2). Also located with the speaker are “all [the speaker’s} toys” (Line 3), which lie beside the speaker (Line 3). These toys are meant to preoccupy the speaker during confinement. The toys make the speaker “happy all the day” (Line 4). This emotion may be opposite of what the reader might expect the speaker to feel. This inclusion of “toys” makes readers consider that the speaker is a child, and any child confined to bed due to illness would presumably be depressed and miserable. This particular child, however, feels happiness thanks to the toys.

The beginning of the second stanza relates the passing of time during sickness: “[F]or an hour or so” (Line 5), the speaker lies in bed with their toys. There is no comment or concern about the length of time in bed or the duration of the sickness.