We returned to our places, these kingdoms, But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation, With an alien people clutching their gods. I should be glad of another death. T.S. Eliot (1888-1965), The Three Kings.
Humankind: Sinful, Rebellious and Faithless
I am weary
I am not God’s little lamb, I am God’s sick tiger. and I prowl about at night, and what I love I bite, and upon the jungle grass I slink, snuff the aroma of my mental stink, taste the salt tang of tears upon the brink of my uncomfortable muzzle. My tail, my beautiful,...
Contemplation’s door to wisdom and virtue
Virtue could see to do what virtue would By her own radiant light, though sun and moon Were in the flat sea sunk. And wisdom’s self Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude, Where with her best nurse Contemplation, She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings That in...
My Acorn Child!
I sought to stand for God Tall, straight and proud, An oak of righteousness Head in a cloud. The spirit winds that blew Stripped all my leaf, Broke heavy branches off, Trunk split in grief. The gentle morning sun Shone down on me, My helplessness complete, A...
Ignorant of themselves, of God much more
The worldly wisest Alas! What can they teach, and not mislead, Ignorant of themselves, of God much more, And how the world began, and how man fell, Degraded by himself, on grace depending? Much of the soul they talk, but all awry; And in themselves seek virtue; and to...
Power must subserve wisdom
Power and Wisdom But what is strength without a double share Of wisdom? Vast, unwieldy, burdensome, Proudly secure, yet liable to fall By weakest subtleties; not made to rule, But to subserve where wisdom bears command. John Milton (1608-74), Samson...
God’s hidden wisdom revealed
All is best, though we oft doubt What th’unsearchable dispose Of Highest Wisdom brings about, And ever best found in the close. Oft he seems to hide his face, But unexpectedly returns, And to his faithful champion hath in place Bore witness gloriously; whence Gaza...
The priceless pearl of wisdom
A life all turbulence and noise may seem To him that leads it wise and to be praised, But wisdom is a pearl with most success Sought in still waters. William Cowper (1731 – 1800), The Task, Book III.
I despise myself and curse my fate
When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes I all alone between my outcast state And trouble deaf heaven with my bootless cries And look upon myself and curse my fate, With what I most enjoy contented least; Yet in these thoughts myself almost despising Haply I think...
The Inner Storm
I am a ghost who walks alone. Beyond my yard are high stone walls. I walk and move and speak with calm. But let me tell you this my friends; Beneath the smile, the wave, the nod There screams an inner storm. It roars and wails and tears its hair. It pours in torrents...
In his own dungeon
He that has light within his own clear breast May sit i’ the centre, and enjoy bright day, But he that hides a dark soul, and foul thoughts Benighted walks under the midday sun; Himself his own dungeon. John Milton (1608-74), Comus (1637).
Life’s but a walking shadow
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage, And then is heard no more: it is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,...