Through the course of this semester, I will use this blog spot to post poems of various American poets, and to comment on their works. I will focus on one poet each week to help focus any discussion that may arise. This week I have decided to begin by looking at the works of Anne Bradstreet.
Resources:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/anne-bradstreet
http://xroads.virginia.edu/~hyper/bradstreet/bradstreet.html#letter
Background:
Though she was originally from England, it is profound that Bradstreet is recognized as the first female New World poet. Through the effects of her Father's homeschooling, she was instilled with a love for reading and writing, and she chose to spend as much time writing as her hectic maternal responsibilities would allow. Her works thoughtfully reflect her family and her religious Puritan background.
The poem I read for today was titled "The Flesh and the Spirit". In this work Bradstreet describes two sisters, called Flesh and Spirit, discussing the temporal versus eternal matters in life. Flesh is the main speaker of the poem, and she is attempting to convince her sister of the realities of the earth as more logic than the mere speculation of heaven. Bradstreet's work can be compared to the words written in the book of Matthew which address the issue of "laying up treasures upon earth" rather than in heaven. In this poem, Flesh is a representation of the voice of the world which often tries to convince Christians that their beliefs are faulty and illogical. I am sure that Anne herself heard this voice in her daily life. No doubt that this poem is the author's recordings of the voice of the flesh in her own mind.
The Flesh and the Spirit
In secret place where once I stood Close by the Banks of Lacrim flood, I heard two sisters reason on Things that are past and things to come. One Flesh was call'd, who had her eye On worldly wealth and vanity; The other Spirit, who did rear Her thoughts unto a higher sphere. "Sister," quoth Flesh, "what liv'st thou on Nothing but Meditation? Doth Contemplation feed thee so Regardlessly to let earth go? Can Speculation satisfy Notion without Reality? Dost dream of things beyond the Moon And dost thou hope to dwell there soon? Hast treasures there laid up in store That all in th' world thou count'st but poor? Art fancy-sick or turn'd a Sot To catch at shadows which are not? Come, come. I'll show unto thy sense, Industry hath its recompence. What canst desire, but thou maist see True substance in variety? Dost honour like? Acquire the same, As some to their immortal fame; And trophies to thy name erect Which wearing time shall ne'er deject. For riches dost thou long full sore? Behold enough of precious store. Earth hath more silver, pearls, and gold Than eyes can see or hands can hold. Affects thou pleasure? Take thy fill. Earth hath enough of what you will. Then let not go what thou maist find For things unknown only in mind."
This reminds me of the portion of Scripture I had to memorize before going to work at Southland this summer. We had to memorize Galatians 5:16-26 which talks about the works of the flesh and the fruit of the spirit. Our flesh is always wanting to submit to worldly desires. Our spirit is wanting to please God and do what is right, setting our desires on heavenly rewards rather than earth's. It's a constant battle and the Flesh is very good at tempting us and persuading us that worldly pleasures and satisfactions here and now are better than laying up treasure in heaven to enjoy later. I enjoyed reading Anne Bradstreet's work and I look forward to reading more of your blog posts!
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