Another of 18th-century Welsh poet Ann Griffiths’ beautiful prayers is the powerful “Since I am corruptly fallen”, an expression both of the intensity of human sin and the glory of God’s grace. I’ve included the original poem, as translated by A.Z. Foreman, at the end of this post. In my own poem, I have triedContinue reading “Ripped in two by self, desire (After Ann Griffiths’ “Since I am corruptly fallen”)”
Author Archives: Matthew Pullar
It’s true:
God’s always watching in the Quad. Reality is bursting at the seams And all our earthly dreams may look quite odd To one who sees through our most concrete schemes. The fixed unchangingness of human things Is like a dream and fades like vapour as We rise too eagerly on knowing wings. Yet all ourContinue reading “It’s true:”
To trust requires a qualitative leap (Kierkegaard Sonnet #3)
To trust requires a qualitative leap And sin, I’m told, involves more of the same: The gap, whichever way you turn, is deep And, leaping, you can’t go back where you came. So, then, when our ontology is faint And all our guesses lead us back to here – This point of anxious thinking, mind’sContinue reading “To trust requires a qualitative leap (Kierkegaard Sonnet #3)”
“The Concept of Anxiety” Explained
As anyone who has read my Twitter feeds recently can probably tell, I have been on a bit of a Kierkegaard-reading binge – partly for my study and partly for my own interest. After a particularly challenging session of reading the first chapter of The Concept of Anxiety, I composed this sonnet. Enjoy! The ConceptContinue reading ““The Concept of Anxiety” Explained”
Song of the Pierced Veil (After Ann Griffiths’ “Hymn for the Mercy Seat”)
My poems based on the work of Welsh poet Ann Griffiths have been a bit slow in coming out this month, I’m afraid. It’s been a particularly busy time at work and in my studies, giving me many other things to occupy my time apart from writing poetry. But it’s time to catch up! Continue reading “Song of the Pierced Veil (After Ann Griffiths’ “Hymn for the Mercy Seat”)”
Søren, the pure of heart must will one thing
And we too must be pure in heart to see Our God, before whom we are all in need; And if we double-minded ones all cling To two things at the same time – everything The world declares in lying unity, And that which, in our hearts, we long to be (The loving one, theContinue reading “Søren, the pure of heart must will one thing”
Colossians 1
Qualified by grace to share in the light And the kingdom which shines like His chrysolite face, I enter the throne-room, a beggar, no right, While the one spotless lamb hangs in my bleeding place. Unsettled by striving, cast out of the race (Failing to run and nose-diving my flight), I hold the gold laurel,Continue reading “Colossians 1”
The Bright-Shining Lord (After Ann Griffiths’ “I Saw Him Standing”)
I first discovered the amazingly visceral and love-saturated poetry of Ann Griffiths through my friend Erin who posted a couple of Rowan Williams’ translations on her blog a while back. The one that arrested me in particular was “I Saw Him Standing”, which you can read on Erin’s blog here. I’ve chosen it as anContinue reading “The Bright-Shining Lord (After Ann Griffiths’ “I Saw Him Standing”)”
12 Poets #3: Ann Griffiths
Well, a new month has begun and this means it’s time to move onto a new poet, this time eighteenth-century Welsh poet Ann Griffiths. Her work was originally written in Welsh but there have been a number of beautiful translations, including those done by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams, so I’m looking forward toContinue reading “12 Poets #3: Ann Griffiths”
The hinge that held the beeswax in the mind;
As demonstrated by my sonnet from earlier in the week about minds exploding, I am currently taking a subject in my Masters course that is much more philosophical than anything I have done since undergraduate study. Today’s poem has been inspired by my reading of Wittgenstein and Descartes. It is perhaps more philosophical than myContinue reading “The hinge that held the beeswax in the mind;”
The Consolations of Writing 