Maggie's Farm

A reader made a point about job vs. vocation on Thursday's retirement post. I sort-of get that, and sort-of do not. All productive work is ennobling, I believe, whether for family, friends, customers, community, nation, or world. Job vs Vocation might be just a state of mind, an attitude. Whether killing or harvesting for food, or working in a cubicle, we all need to work profitably unless we and our family are fixed for life. Even then, many of us seek ways of being valuable.

People love this one. It's clever the way he replaced "life" with "light," as he was going blind when he wrote this sonnet. The "talent" refers to the parable of the talents - double meaning. But what does he mean by "wait"? When I was in high school, I imagined waiting on tables: waiting on table is surely valuable.

When I consider how my light is spent

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
Lodged 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-labor, 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.”