To conclude my month of working with the poetry of Ann Griffiths, here is an essay reflecting on her writing. I am wary of adding my ill-informed contribution to the little available about her online, but I hope that it might still open her work up to those who are interested; she truly is worthContinue reading “Ann Griffiths: The Beloved on the Sacred Mountain”
Category Archives: Devotional
In His field, amidst the flowers (After Ann Griffiths’ “His left hand, in heat of noonday”)
This is, sadly, my last poem working with the lovely eighteenth-century Welsh poet Ann Griffiths. This one is based on the beautifully simple “His left hand, in heat of noonday”, translated here by H.A. Hodges, who has translated a number of Griffiths’ poems and hymns into English. In my own poem I have worked withContinue reading “In His field, amidst the flowers (After Ann Griffiths’ “His left hand, in heat of noonday”)”
Since setting minds on things above is hard
Since setting minds on things above is hard, The mind always diverting to the place Of greatest comfort, fearing open space; Since often thoughts break off in weary shards And off we go, empty, scanning the yard Of day’s vacuum confusions, seeking peace But scared to look directly at His face: Let’s look instead uponContinue reading “Since setting minds on things above is hard”
Psalm 130: Butterfly Cinquain
Waiting Like the watchmen Expectant for the dawn As yet invisible but soon Rising On wings Of resurrection glory now Lifting out of the depths The waiting ones With joy
A Friday Benediction
Blessed is the one who, weak in self, then turns to God; blessed the one whose righteousness is dry and dead, and turns to God; blessed the one whose mouth is parched, whose strength is sapped, whose hope is dead; blessed the one who turns to God and finds in Him their all.
Ripped in two by self, desire (After Ann Griffiths’ “Since I am corruptly fallen”)
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”)”
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)”
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”
The Consolations of Writing 