Category Archives: Uncategorized

In a Country Church

To one kneeling down no word came,Only the wind’ s song, saddening the lipsOf the grave saints, rigid in glass;Or the dry whisper of unseen wings,Bats not angels, in the high roof. Was he balked by silence? He kneeled longAnd saw love in a dark crownOf thorns blazing, and a winter treeGolden with fruit ofContinue reading “In a Country Church”

The Wicked Fairy at the Manger

My gift for the child: No wife, no kids, home;No money sense.  Unemployable.Friends, yes.  But the wrong sort –The workshy, women, wimps.Petty infringers of the law, personsWith notifiable diseases.Poll tax collectors, tarts:The bottom rung.His end?I think we’ll make it public, prolonged, painful. Right, said the baby.  That was roughlywhat we had in mind. U. A. Fanthorpe

Praise

I praise you becauseyou are artist and scientistin one. When I am somewhatfearful of your power,your ability to work miracleswith a set—square, I hearyou murmuring to yourselfin a notation Beethovendreamed of but never achieved.You run off your scales ofrain water and sea water, playthe chords of the morningand evening light, sculpturewith shadow, join together leafbyContinue reading “Praise”

I Was Vicar of Large Things

I was vicar of large thingsin a small parish. Small-mindedI will not say, there were depthsin some of them I shrank backfrom, wells that the word “God”fell into and died away,and for all I know is stillfalling. Who goes for waterto such must prepare for a longwait. Their eyes looked at meand were the remainsContinue reading “I Was Vicar of Large Things”

Devoting ourselves to God out of love for eternal life

Let it not be enough for you that you hear the divine lessons in church, but read them yourselves at home or look for others to read them and willingly listen to them when they do. Although through the mercy of God you frequently and devoutly hear the divine lessons throughout the entire year, stillContinue reading “Devoting ourselves to God out of love for eternal life”

Lo, the full, final sacrifice

Lo, the full, final sacrificeOn which all figures fix’d their eyes,The ransom’d Isaac, and his ram;The Manna, and the Paschal lamb.Jesu Master, just and true!Our Food, and faithful Shepherd too! O let that love which thus makes theeMix with our low Mortality,Lift our lean Souls, and set us upConvictors of thine own full cup,Coheirs ofContinue reading “Lo, the full, final sacrifice”