Even a Poem Encourages Us to Plan Ahead
Have you ever experienced a gentle nudge from an unexpected source?
Here is the poem ‘Provide, Provide’ by Robert Frost in which the poet speaks on life, death, and the various ways one can approach the incontrovertible facts of mortality.
The poem begins with the poet describing one woman, Abishag, who used to be beautiful, but is now an ugly crone, forced to clean as a servant. Abishag is often thought to be a reference to the biblical person of Abishag who was kind David’s concubine at the end of his life, who in 1 Kings 1:3 is described as ‘very beautiful’ would stay in his bed and keep him warm by providing her body heat. She is also considered the female protagonist in the biblical book ‘Song of Songs’. She was one of the catalysts that caused Solomon to be the heir to David’s throne when another one of David’s sons (Adonijah) asked to marry Abishag. Marrying the king’s concubine was considered an aspiration for the throne and whether it was that or just that he was in love with Abishag, it ended up leading to his death, and leaving Abishag as a spinster!
Enjoy the poem (emphasis added) and stay tuned for further considerations that Robert Frost brings to his readers:
Provide, Provide
By Robert Frost
The witch that came (the withered hag)
To wash the steps with pail and rag,
Was once the beauty Abishag,
The picture pride of Hollywood.
Too many fall from great and good
For you to doubt the likelihood.
Die early and avoid the fate.
Or if predestined to die late,
Make up your mind to die in state.
Make the whole stock exchange your own!
If need be, occupy a throne,
Where nobody can call you crone.
Some have relied on what they knew;
Others on simply being true.
What worked for them might work for you.
No memory of having starred
Atones for later disregard,
Or keeps the end from being hard.
Better to go down dignified
With boughten friendship at your side
Than none at all. Provide, provide!
—
While there are certainly many ways that one can interpret a poem, the bolded verses remind us of the importance of preparation for our mortality. As the old saying goes, the only certainty in life is death and taxes; everyone will die, so why leave an unorganized estate to your heirs (or, worse, the state) when you could take some time to “provide” for them now and ease this inevitable transition?
Then, in the verse referring to the end being hard, we can acknowledge that the end of life is difficult for both the person dying as well as their family and friends. Here again, a little advance planning can ensure that, when the time comes, your experience is as close to your ideal as possible – which will also simplify the process for your loved ones, who will know exactly what your wishes are.
Frost closes with a reminder to “Provide, provide!” Take this as your friendly reminder to provide for your heirs and beneficiaries now. Then, you can rest assured that they’re taken care of when your time on Earth is through.
MeyerPink Law can help you get started. Call (209) 694-3085 or email [email protected] to learn more.
