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The loss of loved ones Ben Johnson’s poems “On my first daughter” and “On my first son” are extremely powerful and deep; but even though they are both about the death of his children they hold two totally different tones. In the poem On My First Daughter the tone is clam and collected. Yes his daughter has died at such a young age of six months, but he is content because he knows that “she has parted hence with the safety of her innocence”. The thought that her soul is now safe and in heaven is very comforting to him; and leaves him with a reassuring feeling not of sorrow and pain. Johnson seems to understand that his daughter was a gift from God and god gifts “bring heavens due”. Being that she only lived for six months doesn’t make it easier because it was his first daughter but if she had lived enough for her to take part in this corrupt world it would have been harder for him to deal with. The fact that his daughter left this earth peacefully and pure, is what gives this poem the feeling of healthy mourning and hope. His optimism could also be denial and that h