Cecils Own Book

Ann Hawkshaws fourth and final collection, a heartfelt tribute to her young grandson Cecil Wedgwood, was published privately and designed for children. This enchanting volume weaves together prose and poetry, presenting a lighter tone than her previous works. Yet, within the playful verses, such as The Discontented Stream and The Ambitious Water-Lily, lies a subtle undercurrent of melancholy. The collection culminates in the poignant elegy In Memoriam, a touching reflection on the loss of childhood, which echoes Hawkshaws own sorrow over the passing of three of her children, including Cecils mother, who died shortly after giving birth. - Summary by Phil Benson