Wednesday, September 16, 2009

ON my dear grandchild Simon Bradstreet, who died on 16 November, 1669, being but a month, and one day old

In the poem "On my dear grandchild Simon Bradstreet," by Anne Bradstreet she describes her feelings upon her grandchild's death. We know that the child dies, possibly in his sleep because it is in the full title of the poem as well as the first two lines of the poem referencing death. ".... but gone, and fall'n asleep,". The child died at a young age and the Bradstreets only got to know him for a short time, ( " Acquaintance short...") but were still very sad when he passed away (" Yet parting caused us weep). Bradstreet has also lost other grandchildren. She compares the children to flowers and compares there contrast in age by how far along the flower has bloomed. " Three flowers, two scarcely blown, the last I' th' bud,..). She believes in God and believes that he has cut the childrends lives short, and says "yet is he good". Almost questioning. She believes it was Gods will but wants to question why but is wise not to question the higher power. (Such was his will, but why, let's not dispute, with humble hearts and mouths put in the dust,...). I believe Bradstrret was saying there may be things you want to question but you do not question God's will. Instead praise him," let's say he is merciful and just." The last few lines of the poem are saying the Lord will return and make up for all that she has suffered. The poem ends with Bradstreet telling the soul of the child to go be with his sisters in Heaven where there is never ending joy and he will be among the blessed.

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