Upon a Fit of Sickness, Anno 1632 Aetatis Suae
Twice ten years old not fully told since nature gave me breath,
My race is run, my thread spun, lo, here is fatal death.
All men must die, and so must I; this cannot be revoked.
For Adam's sake this word God spake when he so high provoked.
Yet live I shall, this life's but small, in place of highest bliss,
Where I shall have all I can crave, no life is like to this.
For what's this but care and strife since first we came from womb?
Our strength doth waste, our time doth haste, and then we go to th' tomb.
O bubble blast, how long can'st last? that always art a breaking,
No sooner blown, but dead and gone, ev'n as a word that's speaking.
O whilst I live this grace me give, I doing good may be,
Then death's arrest I shall count best, because it's Thy decree;
Bestow much cost there's nothing lost, to make salvation sure,
O great's the gain, though got with pain, comes by profession pure.
The race is run, the field is won, the victory's mine I see;
Forever known, thou envious foe, the foil belongs to thee.
Bradstreet, Anne. "Upon A Fit of Sickness". March 23, 2008. http://xroads.virginia.edu/~HYPER/Bradstreet/bradstreet.html#fit
REFLECTION: Once again, Bradstreet writes about her God. In this poem, she appears to have fallen ill and is pondering the possibility of death as a result. Putting her trust in the Lord into words gives her comfort in her time of misery, and helps her to fear not death, as she reassures herself that death shall bring only better things; God has a better life for her. She wonders how long life will actually last before she meets her wonderful Creator, and realizes exactly how hard life is. We are born dealing with worry and we die the same way. Bradstreet must believe that there has got to be something more, even if not among the physically living.
DEAR DIARY,
I have fallen ill, and find myself bedridden and burdened with worries and wonders. I now see exactly what life really is; we live and die in strife. It is knowing that life's real victory will come after death that keeps my fears at bay. Shall I pass during this bout of sickness, there is nothing to fret about. I have served the Lord here on His Earth for fewer than many years, but I have always remained faithful. Whatever ails me now is surely His intention, but am I ready to let go of earthly life?
The Question Is...What impact did the decisions and cultures of those who began the American community have on today's modern community setting and life as we know it?: The religiousness of the Puritans, such as Anne Bradstreet, began the religions that so many of us follow today. So many aspects of life are formed around the concepts surrounding religious issues.
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