Poetry help? In The Secular Night by Margaret Atwood. I will be performing it.?

Question

The poem is too long to post here but it's In The Secular Night by Margaret Atwood.
Do you think that the author is using 'secular' meaning unsacred, or "lasting from century to century", because the night is so long spent alone?
When the excuse of "having to babysit" is given, is it legitimate, or is the subject so antisocial they would rather be by themself?

Any other comments would be greatly appreciated, I am performing the poem.

Answer 1

well, secular mean not related to religion, so doing basic things of life are secular, unless you attach a religious significance to them. it sounds like they were lonely when young, would of rather been out with their friends,, then home babysitting,,,, i dont see it as wanting to be by theirselves,,, but she has accepted being alone now, 40 years later,,,,, to me, it is a confusing poem,,,, the religious reference in it to God, doesnt really seem to flow well,,,,,,, while the reference to the century goes on,,,,, would mean just that,,,, we change and grow,,,,, yet time steadily goes on and on,,,overall i would say its a comment on how the subject has grown,,,,, had sad she was to be alone , and felt left out, when young, how calm she is about it now,,,,,, an odd calm almost,, hearing a siren and thinking someone was run over,,,,, just is a fact,,,, stated without emotion,,,,,,,