The fact that George Herbert wrote a number of poems of called “Affliction” tells us something about the nature of his life and the hardships, many of them internal, that he endured. Today’s poem is based on his fourth “Affliction” poem, a poem that resonates strongly with me despite the four hundred years that haveContinue reading “Obsession (After George Herbert’s “Affliction (IV)”)”
Category Archives: Devotional
Quatrain (II)
I fell at your feet with the burden I carried Dragging my shoulders and soul to the ground. “The burden is mine, child,” you said while I tarried, Unable to rise and afraid to lay down.
Quatrain
From a day of wandering and buzzing, My thoughts tangled up in their thrall, With vines of coiled hopes faintly budding – Dear God, straighten me; be my all.
Ex-Nihilo
If it is true, then what I see as debris, dross, may be somehow rearranged in You, an altar where Your praises sing and shine, though made of ash. For no-one but You has eyes to see the insides of the dark yet change its composites and make it bright. Only You who spokeContinue reading “Ex-Nihilo”
12 Poets #1: Despair (After George Herbert’s “Deniall”)
The next George Herbert poem I am going to respond to is one called “Deniall” (his curious spelling, not mine). It’s one of his darker poems, but also one of the best examples of his mastery of poetic form. 20th-century poet W.H. Auden wrote that Herbert possessed a “gift for securing musical effects by varyingContinue reading “12 Poets #1: Despair (After George Herbert’s “Deniall”)”
Purpose
Before the fact, Before the light, Before the waters and their domes, Before the dust, Before the breath, Before the rib, before the sleep, Before the names, Before the planting, Before the harvest and the fruits, Before the notion, Before the garden, Before the apple and the tree, Before the leaves,Continue reading “Purpose”
Dimensions
How wide – Encompassing the earth’s vast circle scarred yet shining, reaching further than these nails, from east to west, wider that the earth’s whole orbit, wider than the girth of sun, than solar systems, galaxies – How long – Spanning further than the years, the length of time, the age of sun, longerContinue reading “Dimensions”
12 Poets #1: Justification (After George Herbert’s “Redemption”)
George Herbert wrote around four hundred years ago, but his poetry is still powerfully immediate today. Perhaps it’s the sometimes shocking honesty of his work, perhaps the incredible confidence with which he moves between poetic forms and makes them altogether his own. This is particularly apparent in the handful of sonnets that he wrote. HerbertContinue reading “12 Poets #1: Justification (After George Herbert’s “Redemption”)”
Guarantor
There is no guarantee Within me Of righteousness or future glory, No guarantee Of how the story Will resolve. Yet in You in see, Only in Your pure blood, Continue reading “Guarantor”
The Answer
I am between writing projects at the moment, my liturgical poems on hold for a month until the last day in the calendar that I have yet to write about – Ascension Day at the start of May – and being yet to begin my Christian poets project (which you can expect to see meContinue reading “The Answer”
The Consolations of Writing 