A HIGH BLUE DAY ON SCALPAYThis is the summit of contemplation, and no art can touch itblue, so blue, the far-out archipelago and the sea shimmering, shimmeringno art can touch it, the mind can only try to become attuned to it to become quiet and space itself out, to become open and still, unworldedknowing itselfContinue reading “Scalpay – Outer Hebrides”
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Tilting the World!
I often return to Heaney’s poem Miracle. I love his attention on the friends, this is where he sees the miracle. So often we miss it! Heaney uses the word “tilt” in a few other poems, for example look up his poem Skylight! He urges a different perspective, he desires a wider, deeper meaning. TodayContinue reading “Tilting the World!”
“Solstice of the Soul”
A few weeks ago I read an article by Dennis Overbye, entitled Solstice of the Soul, regarding his pending retirement. For the past after 25 years he has been the NY Times” cosmic affairs correspondent.” He writes that “science proceeds on skepticism not certainty is arguably the most successful human activity of all time.. WeContinue reading ““Solstice of the Soul””
Just for the fun of it!
I picked it up from the library shelf – Musical Tables poems by Billy Collins. As the dust cover reads “Billy Collins puts the fun back in profundity.” He loves small poems, so today it is time to just enjoy the words and let them take you to wherever and to think whatever! I shareContinue reading “Just for the fun of it!”
“It will be spring soon, It will be spring soon-“
The words above “It will be spring soon, It will be spring soon-” seemed to shout to me this morning as I turned a few pages. They come from the middle of a poem by Philip Larkin entitled Coming. The poem itself doesn’t say much about spring or hope so I will settle for theseContinue reading ““It will be spring soon, It will be spring soon-“”
Epiphany
Although we may have sung We Three Kings of Orient are; bearing gifts we traverse a far and enjoyed T.S. Eliot’s Magi – A cold coming we had of it, Just the worst time of year for a journey, and such a long journey. Epiphany marks the arrival of the “wisemen.” Until that moment theContinue reading “Epiphany”
Auld Lang Syne
The traditional Scottish drinking cup of friendship is called a Quaich, the word is derived from the Gaelic cuach ‘cup’. It is a small shallow bowl like cup with two handles or ‘lugs’ – a Scottish word for ears! Its origin is unknown but it has often been described as a drinking cup of HighlandContinue reading “Auld Lang Syne”
Nativity
Bethlehem, sitting on the West Bank, remains a difficult place to get to. On my first and only visit in 2008 I felt I was back in Belfast in the days of my youth in the mid 1970s. with check points and heavily armed soldiers present on every street corner. Their presence, intimidating! The photoContinue reading “Nativity”
Immensity
I turn today to John Donne (1573-1631) and his poem Annunciation which is the second of seven sonnets under the title La Corona – yes Corona (Crown) a term we lived with for the best part of three years and sadly some continue to live with the mark of the Corona Virus. Donne uses theContinue reading “Immensity”
“For years I counted hugs.”
I could not imagine an Advent season without T.S. Eliot’s poem – The Journey of the Magi Please take a moment to delight in Eliot’s poem and ponder the Wisemen’s question – were we led all that way for Birth or Death? The poem is long so I shall be brief. Perhaps what was travellingContinue reading ““For years I counted hugs.””
Prayers, Poems, and Christian Ponderings 