To explore the ways in which poets present relationships, I have selected three different poems: 'Nettles' by Vernon Scannell; “Song of Praise for My Mother” by Grace Nichols; and Simon Armitage's "Harmonium." Each of these poems develops relationships, but they all show a different relationship between a child and a parent. To understand these different relationship perspectives, it is important to understand the culture they come from. Simon Armitage is from England, from Marsden, a large village in West Yorkshire. Scannell is also from England, from a small market town called Spilsby. Different from the two, Grace Nichols is from Guyana, South America, in a small rural village. These different cultures may show a different understanding of relationships. All of these poems have similar themes but their attitudes and purposes are completely unique. 'Harmonium' celebrates through the musical instrument the golden memories of their relationship which are indirectly implied through the harmonium. “Harmonium” is about the rather easy relationship between a father and an eldest son. On the other hand, "Nettles" explores a parent's impulse to protect their offspring. 'Nettles' is about the inevitability of falls (“hurts”) experienced throughout life. No matter what the father does, the nettles will always grow back and his beloved son will be hurt once again. “Nettles” focuses on the father's reaction in portraying the relationship as the son is too young to communicate well, so protection is the sign of the father's love. The poem “Song of Praise for My Mother” is very unique from the others. “Praise Song” is a traditional song from African cultures to celebrate a lost friend or relative. The poem is... in the center of the paper... the harmonium literally, ready to be "performed". The second stanza expands the characteristics of the harmonium, with the relationships with the father. The third stanza considers the history of the harmonium, which once united people for generations. The last stanza concerns the description of the harmonium being taken away, paralleling the approaching death of the father. "Praise Song" is based on the first three verses of three lines each which are very similar in format. The fourth verse is introduced in the same way as the others but this time it is extended. He brings attention in the final line of the “Song of Praise” to the mother's advice for her daughter's future and the movement toward "broad futures." This last line intrigues me as she reflects on the ways her mother nurtured and supported her allowing her to grow up and follow these ambitions.