 Most aspects of the original production were undertaken by the author; the composition of the poem and design, engraving, and promotion of the work.The printing was usually done by Blake's wife, Catherine, as well as any colouring not performed by Blake himself.Nathan Cervo describes the poem as "One of the most baffling and enigmatic in the English language" The rose and worm have been considered by critics as "figures of humanity", although Michael Riffaterre doubts the direct equivalence of Man as a worm; when Blake makes this comparison in other places, Riffaterre notes, he is explicit about it.