Upon the Death of Simon Bradstreet

This is a poem written by Anne Bradstreet, upon the death of her grandson Simon. Anne experienced the deaths of three grandchildren in four years.

On my dear Grand-child Simon Bradstreet, Who died on 16 November 1669. Being but a month, and one day old

No sooner come, but gone, and fal’n asleep,

Acquaintance short, yet parting caus’d us weep,

Three flours, two scarcely blown, the last i’th’ bud,

Cropped by th’ Almighties hand; yet is he good,

With dreadful awe before him let’s be mute,

Such was his will, but why, let’s not dispute,

With humble hearts and mouths put in the dust,

Let’s say he’s merciful as well as just.

He will return, and make up all our losses,

And smile again, after our bitter crosses.

Go pretty babe, go rest with Sisters twain

Among the blest in endless joys remain.

The first time I read these lines I was struck. I am still struck every time I read them, because they serve as a powerful model to experience grief. The verses are short, not nearly as verbose as one might expect from a poet. In these lines Anne Bradstreet does not try to plumb the depth of her sorrow, nor interrogate every grief-stricken thought she has. In a rather terse manner she humbles herself and proclaims the goodness of God. She does not take her thoughts out on the Lord, she honors him, reveres him, and submits to his will, recognizing that there are aspects of the Lord’s will beyond her comprehension. These lines contain remarkable nobility

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One can imagine Anne Bradstreet, matriarch of her family, reciting these verses to her broken-hearted children, calling them to honor the Lord. Honor him for he is good. Honor him, for he will provide us with endless joys…