…love to one’s neighbour is not to be sung about – it is to be fulfilled in reality. Even if there were nothing else to hinder the poet from artistically celebrating love to one’s neighbour in song, it is quite enough that with invisible letters behind every word in Holy Scripture a disturbing notice confrontsContinue reading “Theology Part 2: Resolution”
Tag Archives: love
Theology Part 1: Acknowledgement
First of all, acknowledge Him; know that all good comes from Him. The sun, the moon are His lamp-shades, the sea His pool, the skies His chair. Health and growth and happiness: these are from Him; He made them. Relationships, prosperity: all good comes from Him. Rain to make the soil soft, sunlight so thatContinue reading “Theology Part 1: Acknowledgement”
You shall love
not to win the dash and charm the crowd nor gain a victor’s kiss, not that you may save yourself from lonely night on lonely night: not for all of this. Nor that passers-by may give you love Continue reading “You shall love”
The Week of Cherry Blossoms
Today is something of an anniversary for me. Seven years ago, on this day, I wrote my first adult poem. I remember this because it was the last day of winter, and unusually warm. The poem was about a new crush after a long relationship had ended. I’m sure it would be highly embarrassing toContinue reading “The Week of Cherry Blossoms”
Sowing (After George MacDonald’s “Better Things”)
Like many Victorian poets, George MacDonald often wrote poems which were far longer than they needed to be and far more flowery than readers today are comfortable with. But when he succeeded with a poem, he really succeeded, at his best when his form allowed for a simplicity and crispness of language and imagery thatContinue reading “Sowing (After George MacDonald’s “Better Things”)”
Nature Boy
They say he wandered very far And left his home behind; They say he gave up kings for fools And land for tides and sea. They say he wandered ‘til he found A tree to make his throne And searched for friends who would betray And lost ones who would run. They sayContinue reading “Nature Boy”
Christina Rossetti: Love Lies Bleeding
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”
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”)”
Quatrain (IV)
More generous than all my dreams could make You, You overflow when I am most dry. When my heart proves me false, You prove most true, My failure the question, Your love the reply.
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”
The Consolations of Writing 