SDGharon+Olds+Higher+Purpose

Sharon Olds "higher purpose" in this poem is to describe the separation between her and her son who is growing up. She tells how she feels when going through the different stages of motherhood. Describing her sons appearance changing, as well as her mind set on thinking the world was out to get her son. Like every mother and parent in the world, she has to learn to adjust without her son, and has to let him go.