All the Little Cares

The Little Cares by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

The little cares that fretted me,
I lost them yesterday
Among the fields above the sea,
Among the winds at play;

Among the lowing of the herds,
The rustling of the trees,
Among the singing of the birds,
The humming of the bees.

The foolish fears of what may happen--
I cast them all away
Among the clover-scented grass,
Among the new-mown hay;

Among the husking of the corn
Where drowsy poppies nod,

Where ill thoughts die and good are born, Out in the fields with God.

All the little cares and the foolish fears, how many of them are weighing on you today? Do you find yourself burdened by so many small worries and troubles that you cannot move forward? I find myself there at time, the old “death by a thousand paper cuts” scenario. That's why I love this poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I love her story too. Did you know that Elizabeth Barrett suffered with severe illness from a young age and lived her life in constant frail health.  

In spite of her physical limitations (or maybe because of them), she began writing poetry from a young age as well, and became one of the most celebrated poets of the Victorian age in her own lifetime. Her acclaim drew the attention of Robert Browning. Their courtship and marriage were carried out in secret. She knew her father would not approve and in fact he disowned her as soon as he discovered her marriage.

Those all sound like some pretty big worries and yet she persevered. More than that she thrived. She reached the pinnacle of artistic success and led a full and fruitful life personal life. What if she had let those fears and pains consume her? We can speculate, but the fact is, she didn't give in and neither should you or I.  

Each time I read this poem, I escape to some far quiet summer field. Flowers perfume the air and tall golden grasses rustle in the breeze. I lay down all those fears and worries, entrusting them to One far greater than my heartache and far more competent at handling my anxiety. 

Would you care to join me there for a few moments today? Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and find yourself in this same distant field. Now gather up all your doubts, apprehensions, and anguish. Take them off your shoulders and lose them there in the fields with God.

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