Yes, the leaves die as they go golden, yet this does not speak to me of death, as hand-in-hand we walk below bowers which colour the world’s bright defiant grave. Tombs carry promise, still dormant – a longing – life hidden by theseContinue reading “Les Feuilles Mortes”
Tag Archives: resurrection
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”)”
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”)”
The Road (After Christina Rossetti’s “Uphill”)
One of my favourite poems by Christina Rossetti is the lovely and comfortingly simple “Uphill”. The poem is written as a dialogue between two people and has always expressed to me both the hardship of the Christian walk and the certainty of the hope before us. I have tried to reflect these things in writingContinue reading “The Road (After Christina Rossetti’s “Uphill”)”
I Saw Him Standing
To spend a moment longer with Ann Griffiths’ poetry, I’ve set my favourite of her poems to music. Apologies for the bad quality of the recording and my singing. I hope that the music can help express some of the beauty of her words. If not, here they are to read on their own! IContinue reading “I Saw Him Standing”
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
Clouds and Crowns No.5
The overture of forests, dead, remade, Whispers pianissimo through leaves. Although the burnt-out wilderness still grieves And ashen dust hangs densely in the shade, The smallest stems of green, a micro-glade, Peek out through fire-black trunks in smoky breeze, The first-fruits of our chlorophyll reprieves, The peaceful eye after the storm is paid. All thisContinue reading “Clouds and Crowns No.5”
Clouds and Crowns No.4
And nothing pure dies when safe in truth, For truth and life flow from the same deep spring, Restoring, making new each broken thing, Our death and dying fading into youth. And if our doubting hearts required proof, The flowers promise too what time can bring: A crown of roses for a weary king AndContinue reading “Clouds and Crowns No.4”
Rise (Saturday in Easter Week)
And He did; though it breaks our minds, He did. The tomb is empty, Peter’s face white like linen; Mary smiles and hearts are soon on fire; there’s no reason why the broken, wounded,Continue reading “Rise (Saturday in Easter Week)”
Stone Hearts (Friday in Easter Week)
It seems to cut against all logic, What we claim that we have seen: Dead men do not rise, the lame Do not stand up and walk. And though we shout and scream a name It has no power from the tomb; And yet His name made these bowed legs Straighten out and move. Continue reading “Stone Hearts (Friday in Easter Week)”
The Consolations of Writing 