Sadly, my month of working with Christina Rossetti’s poetry must come to an end. To finish up the month, here is an essay I have written on her poetry. It is an early draft of a chapter towards a larger book I am writing about the power of writing in the Christian life; this meansContinue reading “Christina Rossetti: Love Lies Bleeding”
Author Archives: Matthew Pullar
Joy in the Planting
“What profit,” I asked, “does there lie in this soil? My labour will bear its fruit on a day Far off in the future, when I’m gone away And a stranger will reap from my toil.” “What gain,” I then asked, “in this mortal coil, This limitless cycle of birth and decay, This nothing-new-under-the-sun, andContinue reading “Joy in the Planting”
Lunar
The moon today was wrapped in gauze this morning and tonight, a bulb of bright within a screen of hazy, muted light; and as I set out in the dark and came back as I came, the clouds and moon had changed their sides yet whispered just the same: Continue reading “Lunar”
Alive (After Christina Rossetti’s “Sleeping At Last”)
One of the last poems that Christina Rossetti wrote (possibly her last; her brother, William Michael, is unclear about this) was the touchingly simple “Sleeping At Last”. Taking the subject of death, which has fascinated many poets from Donne to Dickinson, Rossetti presents death as sleep, a peaceful rest ending pain and beyond which liesContinue reading “Alive (After Christina Rossetti’s “Sleeping At Last”)”
“For mercies countless as the sands…”
John Newton, the famous hymn writer and pastor, certainly knew how to reflect on his life. Never forgetting his former life as a slave trader, womaniser and general no-good, he always approached life with a grateful heart, forever marvelling at the “amazing grace” he had known in his later life. One birthday, towards the endContinue reading ““For mercies countless as the sands…””
Thanksgiving
Today is my birthday, and as I have approached this day I have thought about Psalm 116:12, which asks, “How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?” I have written a poem to reflect on this thought – inspired by Christina Rossetti’s lovely poem, “A Birthday“. I hope you enjoy reading it.Continue reading “Thanksgiving”
Expectancy (After Christina Rossetti’s “The Thread of Life”)
Another one of my favourite Christina Rossetti poems is one of her least known – a cycle of three sonnets entitled, “The Thread of Life”. You can read the original here. In response to her poem, I have attempted my own set of three sonnets, working with some of Rossetti’s original theme. You might alsoContinue reading “Expectancy (After Christina Rossetti’s “The Thread of Life”)”
Joy in Each Season (After Christina Rossetti’s “The One Certainty”)
Christina Rossetti wrote many sonnets, most of them very compelling. This poem is based on one of her more shocking sonnets, one inspired by the book of Ecclesiastes. You can read the original poem here. I have used Rossetti’s poem as my basis, but have tried to inject a bit more hope into its resolution. Continue reading “Joy in Each Season (After Christina Rossetti’s “The One Certainty”)”
My Ebenezer
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (1 Kings 7:12) Though weary and brow-beaten from within And lost in endless self-analysis, Dissecting all the faintest hints of sin And searching out death’s sure catalysis: Though trappedContinue reading “My Ebenezer”
On reading a biography of John Newton
I’d have lived on Clapham Green And played upon its soil; I’d have joined their century And burnt up slavery’s spoils. I’d have lived in Olney too And written hymns with men Whose poor hearts burnt with Gospel flame And kindled it with pen. But God has made me live today: The worldContinue reading “On reading a biography of John Newton”
The Consolations of Writing 