In the poem, "A Bird in the House" by Elizabeth Jennings, how does the speaker's attitude toward death change?

Response:

As a child, when the poet observed the demise of her canary, she was not instantly filled with "tears or sadness"; instead, she was impressed by the "fitness" of how the canary was buried. Yet, upon experiencing loss in adulthood, she felt intense grief:

Not knowing death would be a challenging experience

Later, it was dark, aimless, and formless.  

After enduring my first genuine sorrow, I cried, felt sadness, was engulfed in darkness,...

After she completed her grieving process, she thought back to how she reacted to the canary's death as a child. She views her initial reaction as wiser, although it might seem ruthless. She believes that all human experiences resemble a form of play, with death serving as a type of farewell ritual:

The yellow bird continues to sing in my thoughts, and I express

That the child is indifferent yet clever, aware of the play's true purpose.

Explanation:

Upon witnessing her canary's death as a child, the poet was not initially overcome with "tears or sadness," but rather focused on the "fitness" of the canary's burial. However, as an adult, she goes through a profound mourning experience:

Unaware that death would bring such difficulty

Afterward, dark and lacking form or aim.

Following my initial true sorrow, I cried, felt sadness, was engulfed in darkness,...

Once her mourning concluded, she reflected on her youthful reaction to the canary's passing. She believes that her first reaction displayed wisdom, despite its apparent insensitivity. She perceives all human existence as a form of play, with death symbolizing a farewell ceremony:

The yellow bird lingers in my thoughts, and I remark

That the child may be insensitive yet wise, understanding the essence of play.