Journeying into the world of poetry
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Happy errand
On Saturday, I visited the library with a close friend who writes poetry. She bought some books for 10¢ a piece and searched for movie DVDs, while I continued my new adventure in poetry by borrowing these books:
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún (edited by Christopher Tolkien) 2009
The Lays of Beleriand: The History of Middle-Earth (edited by Christopher Tolkien) 1985
The Cassell Book of English Poetry (selected and introduced by James Reeves) 1965
C.S. Lewis - Narrative Poems (edited by Walter Hooper) 1969
One of my interests is narrative poetry, so I chose the Tolkien and then made the unexpected find of the Lewis book. The anthology is a general resource.
Good reading
I began with Lewis, of course, dutifully getting through the preface and then reading and enjoying his poem “Launcelot.” Its Arthurian world is comfortably familiar and yet unique; the mood and language are haunting; the conclusion is intense. Among other themes, the poem deals with the subject of the death of the righteous and the wicked.
New writing
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I
Once, Death and I shared time together,
he, in the guise of one I loved.
Side by side we sat, and he, a raptor held,
and I a canary kept in careful hands.
He tried to convince me no harm would come,
but distracted, before I saw what happened,
the raptor took and tore the tiny life.
Glad I am that Death removed all disguise.
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II
Now, I admit this poem is unlike
other things I write, and sad too,
coming from a mind in pain.
Of value strange – to teach me what?
The mind in labyrinthine fears
wanders with Death sometimes,
in thoughts unlike our thoughts.
For Death is our hated enemy,
and sitting beside him, under his gaze,
is not a thing we would chose.
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III
To write of inmost thoughts and dreams,
where darkness lurks, feels so unsafe.
Can we dispel it by pens that scratch,
and keys that clack under our fingers?
God, Merciful God, over our wanderings
with Death, You are Lord. Light Invincible,
teach me! But may I know that lessons are not
all beautiful, and though we remain in safety sublime,
like all others we must face the enemy.
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IV
Surprised that my thoughts should be of Death
(though reading of him brought me his company),
I try to remake my thoughts, digging a better channel
for your Spirit, but I cannot. For Death is –
and Divine lessons are not all beautiful-seeming,
though true and real, and truly beautiful.
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V
Lord, let me not hope to make
everything appear beautiful when it is not.
May I take my lessons from You,
at Your feet, that wounded were,
and scarred are,
that lie not.
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Posted on February 27, 2013, in Arthurian legends, C.S. Lewis poet, Christian faith, eternal things, imagination, J.R.R. Tolkien poet, Literature, lyric poetry, Maria Tatham, narrative poetry, Poetry, poets, speaking the truth in love, the Lord Jesus Christ (Yeshuah) and tagged "Launcelot" by C.S. Lewis, C.S. Lewis, Christopher Tolkien, Death, J.R.R. Tolkien, James Reeves, lyric poetry, Maria Tatham, narrative poetry, poetry, reading poetry, reading poetry as inspiration for writing poetry, reading poetry to learn to write it, The Lays of Beleriand by J.R.R. Tolkien, The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún by J.R.R. Tolkien, Walter Hooper, Writing on the theme of death after reading “Launcelot” by C.S. Lewis, writing poetry. Bookmark the permalink. 19 Comments.
I take comfort in your writing. Although my grandfather has passed, there is only light not darkness to welcome him home.
Kelsey, I am so happy for you, that your joy has been made complete because your grandfather is with the Lord. Thank you for visiting, reading, and commenting! May the Lord answer all your prayers!
Maria
Wow, Maria, I thought this was a classic you were sharing that CS Lewis had written! Then as I read the comments I realized that you had written it. Oh yes, it would be wonderful if you put your poet shoes on again…
Blessings ~ Wendy
Wendy, thank you for your kind imagination – and for encouraging me to put on these shoes! Bless you, my dear sister!
Maria
Maria, you blow me a way, magnificently! If you don’t mind, I’m going to print this out–I always need to read your work more than once (and slouched comfortably on my couch–rather than at the computer screen!). Truth, and pain–yes!! It’s all there, and real–and poets should not shy away from it. Here’s a thought: sprinkle some glitter on those old poet shoes, and I’ll meet you in the park!! God bless you BIG–much love, sis Caddo
You don’t shy away from either of those, Caddo.
Going off in search of glitter… ! Seriously, I suspect you’ll pray for me about this.
In His love,
Maria
Yes, Ma’am, I certainly will!!!
You are quick! Thank you!
Love your blog!
You bring us such an offering, Maria .. .thank you! You have a special gift – calling – in this. I think it is important that we don’t represent walking with Jesus as though it is a walk in the park only. Recently I was reminded by Him of counting the cost of following Him. Salvation is free, but following does take dying . .death to ourselves.
God bless you as you continue to research and write what He asks you to… and what we need you to!
Thank you, dear Debbie!
Right now I’m seeking His leading about how to use what He’s given to me – I’m trying to listen. A long time ago, I put away my poet’s shoes. Now I’m wondering if I should put them, lace them up, and get in shape… Don’t know for sure… I’m somewhat down, but that’s okay if He gets through to me.
About telling the truth. Telling the truth is essential, the whole truth, as much as we can give, we need to give. People are being lied to about what faith in Jesus Christ means. He made it clear that we would enter His Kingdom through much tribulation, so we know it is difficult, and must be prepared.
In other ages, when people lived with death as a daily occurrence, close to home, they had an advantage. They couldn’t lie to themselves about this, and had to face their fears, etcetera, had to acknowledge that they too would die, accepting illnesses and afflictions as something you couldn’t diet or medicate away. I guess I want to give babies and bigger people their needed shots against deadly lies, while tenderly holding them because needles hurt.
I love the fact that you have your walking shoes on!
Sincerely in the Beloved One,
Maria
Amen Maria. The poem was filled with truth. Not all lessons are easy… or beautiful… or happy ones, which is why, in the midst of all the other words being spoken, we must speak truth. God is good and wonderful and glorious… and it’s true that He is a loving God… But it is equally true that He hates sin… He punishes sin… He allows His blessings to fall like rain on both the good and the bad… He is full of grace and mercy, but He is also just, and He will not allow unrepentant sin to go unpunished – whether we claim to be His children or not.
God’s ways and His thoughts are unfathomable to us, and we must always remember that though things may not always seem “fair” or “just” to our human eyes, He is justice. He is righteousness. Indeed, all of our good works are as filthy rags to Him, who justifies us not by what we have done or will do, but by our faith alone, which is a gift from Him who loves us. Thank you for posting this poem that may seem “unlovely” to many, but really is beautiful in its truth. That’s what God is calling for in these last days – not for words that “tickle the ears,” but for words that are true… words that will prick our consciences… words that will cause us to cry out to Him for salvation.
Many blessings to you, Maria,
Cheryl
Oh, dear Cheryl, thank you for standing with me, for explaining what I can’t, for preaching (Jesus preached!) at my place. Yes, the truth isn’t all pretty, but in the Hands of the One you described so well, all of it will become beautiful in the end. Praising Jesus for your friendship!!! Let God be shown to be true, and every man a liar…
Many blessings to you, friend!
Maria
I love this statement, “who justifies us not by what we have done or will do, but by our faith alone”. Those who question Christianity do not understand that we are not perfect and we do not pretend to be perfect. Only by God’s gift to us of his only son are we saved.
Yes, Kelsey, only by His Son are we saved.
I believe that those who question the Truth want to find fault with us who love it, so that they can excuse themselves for rebelling. They don’t have to look far to find our faults, for we are all “unprofitable servants.” But that’s not the end of the story. The Lord Jesus Christ has taken us in hand and given us new life, and He changes us from glory to glory. The Gospel is offensive to those who question the Truth, because of enmity against God, and because spiritual things are spiritually discerned. We must speak the truth in love to them, praying that God will draw them to His Son.
Thank you for responding to Cheryl’s wise and radical comment! Lord bless you!
Hi Maria, Reading your new poem, I think of Amy Carmichael. She too wrote of scars, His and the scars that happen in our beautiful but fallen world. Amy Shreve has a song, Beautiful Scars. Ann Voskamp’s first memory was seeing her younger sister die suddenly in a tragic accident. Counting her blessings to 1000 and beginning again helped her heal and stay healed. Hope you keep writing poetry. Margarita Engle writes novels-in-verse…so much to share. It seems the goal is to be honest and offer hope at the same time. So many young people are following my blog, so I can only hope this is what my sharing is about too.
Love and blessings, Ellen
Yes, Ellen, that is what your sharing about too. You give them a glass of pure, clean water – they need this beyond anything!
In Jesus love, my sister!
Maria
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