When I Consider How My Light is Spent: A poem by John Milton

John Milton of Paradise Lost fame is one of the most well known poets of all time. Below is a deeply personal poem where Milton, who lost his vision completely in the middle of his life, wrestles with how his blindness will impact his life and devotion to God. Milton brings us to the scene at the end of the age, where men give an account, expressing his own fear that his blindness will render his service to God ineffective. He seems to conclude that acceptance of God’s will, whatever it is, is a worthy service to the Lord. Knowing the context makes this short sonnet especially powerful and in some ways, viscerally relatable. It is one of my personal favorites. Enjoy!

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“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-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.”