The first of our Auden poems for the month is the wonderful “Law, say the gardeners, is the sun”, a poem that Auden wrote in 1939 around the time of his conversion to Christianity. It was famously written shortly after his profound and emphatic “September 1, 1939”, the poem he wrote on the outbreak ofContinue reading “Like Love (After W.H. Auden’s “Law, say the gardeners, is the sun”)”
Author Archives: Matthew Pullar
Psalm 125
Safe – like the hills’ fortifications, whelmed by the wind but not moved, not shaken; firm as rock, firm as covenant, grounded in Christ’s almighty core; stern as mountain, sure as sunrise, safe as heaven, safe.
New to The Consolations of Writing
For those interested in reading a bit more of what I’ve written, you can now find a page entitled “Anthologies” on this site. Go there to find links to two eBooks available on Kindle and a handful of other free downloads that I’ve put together. Happy reading!
Fulfilment
He remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:23) The esteem of love which esteems greatly, sacrifices all for the receipt of nothing, and gives self when Self is notContinue reading “Fulfilment”
12 Poets #7: W.H. Auden
As September draws to a close, it’s time to prepare for another poet, and I’m fairly excited about this one. When I first began writing poetry, I must admit that most of what I wrote was quite shamelessly ripping off 20th-century English poet W.H. Auden. While I’ve moved on to other poets, my years ofContinue reading “12 Poets #7: W.H. Auden”
The Fig-Tree and the Worm
When complaint has its basis in the nature of the divine, appealing to justice and mercy and truth, waiting for signs which tarry now yet will come without delay, when complaining stands atContinue reading “The Fig-Tree and the Worm”
Disembarking: A Terminal Sonnet
Bad coffee drunk at airport terminal’s Faint consolation for delays in flight, When failing air-con gives pilots a fright, And back we go to slow departure halls, Disembarking and delayed. It’s small – A First World problem, as they say; tonight I should still be in Queensland: when all’s right With aircraft safety, we’ll stillContinue reading “Disembarking: A Terminal Sonnet”
Empirical
Doubt erodes, and reason feeds on the brain that needs it, but eyes can trust what they see and lives the truth they know and hearts can feel the hope stretched out on the living tree and breath gives life to lungs that will open and receive it.
Dusk Flower
Head dense with things beyond knowing I turn and see a fiery flower dragon-fruit-like atop green leaves swaying in the dusk and walking by I turn out of myself to praise
Immanence
What churches, prisons, feudal pyramids Possess in common is Authority. Only the state’s power, not the State, exists, And power is exchanged through you and me. Our eyes, transfixed by prison walls, confuse The institution with the power it holds Mixing correct use up with the abuse And sovereign love with the despot who scolds.Continue reading “Immanence”
The Consolations of Writing 