January 2014 – Page 2 – The Consolations of Writing

Epiphany (After Peter Steele’s “Madonna and Child”)

Tomorrow is Epiphany Sunday, and so I’ve chosen to begin my month of looking at Peter Steele’s poetry with this response to his poem “Madonna and Child”. Steele’s poem is an ekphrastic poem, meaning that it has come “out of” another art work, Justin O’Brien’s intriguing “Madonna and Child” (image from http://www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/collection/works/8730/). I’ve followed Steele’sContinue reading “Epiphany (After Peter Steele’s “Madonna and Child”)”

Exultavit cor meum (1 Samuel 2:1-10)

Did she walk away singing, joy in heart? The knowledge sang within her, of the Rock From whom all water flowed, and this exchange In fortunes – rich brought low and poor made high. Yet richest gifts demand the largest part; Though free, as she went home, from those who’d mock, Such height, such grace,Continue reading “Exultavit cor meum (1 Samuel 2:1-10)”

12 Poets #10: Peter Steele

Well, the new year is here and it is time for a new poet. This month is very personally significant for me. Peter Steel SJ was an Australian poet and academic who taught me poetry in my fourth year of Literature at the University of Melbourne and had a deep influence upon my love ofContinue reading “12 Poets #10: Peter Steele”