Fairy Tale!

Fairy Tale!
He built himself a house,
his foundations
his stones,
his walls,
his roof overhead
his chminey and smoke,
his view from the window.

He made himself a garden
his fence,
his thyme
his earthworm
his evening dew,

He cut out his bit of sky above.

And he wrapped the garden in the sky
and the house in the garden
and packed the lot in a handkerchief
and went off
lone as an arctic fox
through the cold
unending
rain
into the world.
Miroslav Holub – 1923-1998 From the Czech (trans George Theiner)

Sometimes it is best just to enjoy a poem without trying to offer an analysis. Holub is new to me even though he has written many poems. Britannica lists the following: A Czech poet noted for his detached, lyrical reflections on humanist and scientific subjects. A clinical pathologist and immunologist by profession, Holub received his M.D. from the Charles University School of Medicine (1953) and his Ph.D. from the Czechoslovak (now Czech) Academy of Sciences Institute of Microbiology (1958), both in Prague. Although one of the most internationally well-known Czech poets, his reputation continues to languish at home. One comment I share about the poem is as follows: “though it seems fairy-tale-like, it isn’t really. The things you believe in, the good you’ve experienced, the hopes you treasure – these are most definitely companions to us wherever we go and whatever places we leave behind.” My next post will be in the middle of September. Enjoy!

Prayer:
(Today’s prayer comes from David Adam’s book Tides and Seasons – Modern Prayers in the Celtic tradition. (pub.1989) – a book which I haver ead often for some 30+ years!)
The Weaver
I weave into my life this day
The Presence of God upon my way,
I weave into my life this hour
The mighty God and all his power.
I weave into my sore distress
His peace and calm and no less.
I weave into my step so lame
Healing and helping of His name.
I weave into the darkest night
Strands of God shining bright,
I weave into each deed done
Joy and hope of the Risen Son. Amen.