Now Choose Life

Choose Life in the after- after the spouse dies, after the marriage ends, after the kids leave

  • Grief
  • Books
  • Food
  • Travel
  • What I Wore
  • links
  • Faith
  • Home
  • Favorite Things

Poetry Tuesday – 4-24-18

April 25, 2018 by Sharon

I love this quote by Goethe so much!! I used it one year when I taught summer school and have a fun story about it. I guess I’ll save that story for another blog post!!

April is poetry month. Here is my poem for this Tuesday!!

Verses upon the Burning of our House

Anne Bradstreet, 1612 – 1672

In silent night when rest I took,
For sorrow near I did not look,
I waken’d was with thund’ring noise
And piteous shrieks of dreadful voice.
That fearful sound of “fire” and “fire,"
Let no man know is my Desire.
I starting up, the light did spy,
And to my God my heart did cry
To straighten me in my Distress
And not to leave me succourless.
Then coming out, behold a space
The flame consume my dwelling place.
And when I could no longer look,
I blest his grace that gave and took,
That laid my goods now in the dust.
Yea, so it was, and so ‘twas just.
It was his own; it was not mine.
Far be it that I should repine,
He might of all justly bereft
But yet sufficient for us left.
When by the Ruins oft I past
My sorrowing eyes aside did cast
And here and there the places spy
Where oft I sate and long did lie.
Here stood that Trunk, and there that chest,
There lay that store I counted best,
My pleasant things in ashes lie
And them behold no more shall I.
Under the roof no guest shall sit,
Nor at thy Table eat a bit.
No pleasant talk shall ‘ere be told
Nor things recounted done of old.
No Candle ‘ere shall shine in Thee,
Nor bridegroom’s voice ere heard shall bee.
In silence ever shalt thou lie.
Adieu, Adieu, All’s Vanity.
Then straight I ‘gin my heart to chide:
And did thy wealth on earth abide,
Didst fix thy hope on mouldring dust,
The arm of flesh didst make thy trust?
Raise up thy thoughts above the sky
That dunghill mists away may fly.
Thou hast a house on high erect
Fram’d by that mighty Architect,
With glory richly furnished
Stands permanent, though this be fled.
It’s purchased and paid for too
By him who hath enough to do.
A price so vast as is unknown,
Yet by his gift is made thine own.
There’s wealth enough; I need no more.
Farewell, my pelf; farewell, my store.
The world no longer let me love;
My hope and Treasure lies above.

I have always loved this poem since first reading it in a college American Literature class years ago. It reminds me that everything I possess is just stuff. How wonderful it was that Ann Bradstreet could fix her eyes on the eternal even though she had lost her family’s home. She teaches us all that our true home is not of this world. When I get too upset over my earthly possessions, I try to remember this poem. I hope you do as well.   

Filed Under: Reading, Writing, Books & Blogs

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

After her husband’s sudden and unexpected death, Sharon McCuistian found herself a widow at the age of 48. With two grown children in college, Sharon had to find a way to live in her new reality. She turned to the things she loved to help in her grief: faith, family, and friends. Her love of words and writing became the cathartic venue by which she began to process her loss. It is through her grief journey that Now Choose Life was born. Read More

Follow Me On

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Recent Posts

Perfect Gifts For Couples To Give Each Other

Have you started thinking of what to give your spouse for Christmas? I have a few ideas for perfect gifts for couples to give each other. These items will be enjoyed by both husband and wife! This post is part of a fun Blog Hop that I am in with several of my online blogging […]

Fall Weekend In New York City

A fall weekend in New York city is a perfect couples getaway. I think NYC is fun at any time of year because each time of years has its own special aspects for exploring the city, but I do think that fall is my favorite time of year to visit. My daughter lived in NYC […]

I Refuse To Live In Fear- A Christian Perspective

I refuse to live in fear. This has been my mantra in light of recent world events. I refuse to live in fear- a Christian Perspective. I’ve been seeing a lot of FEAR posts on social media lately. The situation with Israel and Palestine is heartbreaking and terrifying! I have no idea what will be […]

Leaving A Legacy

Leaving a legacy is something that we all do whether we intend to or not. This idea of legacy is my self reflection for the month of September. Have you ever thought about the legacy you will leave? What will people remember about you when you are gone? Monday, September 19,2022 was the Queen of […]

Things Piquing My Interest #95

How can it already be #95 of things Piquing My Interest? I guess I have been doing this a long time. I sure to appreciate you sticking it out with me. This blog and YOU have really been my life for the past 8+ years. I don’t know what I would have done without this […]

Recent Posts

  • Perfect Gifts For Couples To Give Each Other
  • Fall Weekend In New York City
  • I Refuse To Live In Fear- A Christian Perspective
  • Leaving A Legacy
  • Things Piquing My Interest #95

Follow Me On

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • About
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023