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A few weeks ago a kindred spirited friend, Shari—who loves many of the English poets whom I love—mentioned Milton’s sonnet On His Blindness. I responded with a whopping “YES!” I hadn’t read that sonnet for years, but I still recalled the poignant last line: “They also serve who only stand and wait.” I thanked Shari for the déjà vue, and that evening I located my beautiful antique volume of John Milton’s poems. Here is the sonnet, followed by an explanation of why it has meant so much to me in recent weeks:
On His Blindness
When I consider how my light is spent
Ere half my days in this dark world and wide,
And that one talent which is death to hide
Lodg’d with me useless, though my soul more bent
To serve therewith my Maker, and present
My true account, lest he returning chide,
“Doth God exact day-labour, light denied?”
I fondly ask. But Patience, to prevent
That murmur, soon replies: “God doth not need
Either man’s work or his own gifts: who best
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best. His state
Is kingly; thousands at his bidding speed
And post o’er land and ocean without rest:
They also serve who only stand and wait.”
John Milton
As many of you know, our daughter-in-law, Rosemary, is facing a stand off with breast cancer. The first post-op reports were encouraging, but complications have been discovered and both chemo and radiation will be needed. For certain, 15 years ago (and perhaps as recently as 6!) I would have been on a Denver-bound plane—probably more than one time, to help Rosemary, our son, Karl, and their family during the difficult days ahead. Sometimes physical issues ramp up so gradually, I had to mentally pinch myself to realize that NO—I probably should no longer travel “to help out”.
I cannot “Hoover” (as they say in England) my own carpets, let alone someone else’s. Fatigue often renders me useless for purposes other than reading, blogging, knitting, writing letters, or painting after 6:00 p. m. My 82 year old husband and I are so attached to each other that leaving him alone (even in the company of a sweet Pembroke Welsh corgi) might break my heart (or his, or both)!
We have an amazingly energetic daughter, Debbie, who loves to travel, loves her brother and his family (just as I do), and is incredibly deft at helping most anyone, anywhere! Debbie has already been to Denver once since Rosemary’s surgery 2 weeks ago, and may quite possibly return! Thus the re-reading (again and again) of On His Blindness ministered powerfully to my soul which had been considerably troubled by the realization that I’d no longer be flying to Denver, to help out.
“They also serve who only stand and wait.” And while I stand (sit or lie down) and wait, I pray! I’m quite certain that Milton did that as well!
Margaret L. Been, ©2013
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