Having to write one word—one letter—at a time forces me to focus. On one idea. In the moment. Writing slows my thoughts to one idea at a time. It’s like photography.Read more…
Browning’s “Karshish the Arab Physician”
Robert Browning’s “An Epistle Containing the Strange Medical Experience of Karshish, the Arab Physician” is another fine example of dramatic monologue in which the character speaking reveals things about himself he is unaware of, but through the irony of self-disclosure, the reader readily sees. Read more…
Poetry of Grief (Scholar’s Compass)
It started the day after I stepped off the plane in JFK. Twenty-four hours after my return to my home after twelve months away. It didn’t waste anytime.Read more…
Kairos — from “The Kingdom: Poems for Ordinary Time”
The wheat is full, pushing through the husks, ripe. / It overflows, lacking only / Those who yearn to harvest, / To gather and to give. . . .Read more…
Kingdom — from “The Kingdom: Poems for Ordinary Time”
This riot of lilies and sparrows, / Of pearls and trees and / Fields and fishermen, / This topsy turvy jumbleRead more…
Lilies — from “The Kingdom: Poems for Ordinary Time”
Pulling into the driveway, / Late (of course) – / Gathering my backpack, change, glasses, groceries . . .Read more…
Sparrows — from “The Kingdom: Poems for Ordinary Time”
Darting, shy, / They seem doubtful – / Have I really put this thistle out for them, / Or am I hoping for something / More exotic –Read more…
Who are your favorite poets?
Poetry appeals more directly to the whole person than prose does. It stimulates our imaginations, arouses our emotions, feeds our intellects and addresses our wills. Perhaps this is why poetry is the preferred mode of communication of the prophets, whose purpose depends on capturing the attention of the listeners and persuading them their message is urgent. — Tremper Longman III, quoted by Tom GroshRead more…
Quote: George Herbert’s Elixir
The third quotation comes from a book much older than Orthodoxy, but ties in nicely with last week’s quote from Chesterton: The Elixir by George Herbert Teach me, my God and King, In all things thee to see, And whatRead more…
Week in Review: Sleeping Edition
What are you reading, watching, thinking about this week? As usual, here’s a few which have been on our mind. Let us know your thoughts on any/all of them. If you have items you’d like us to consider for theRead more…
Body and Spirit
How many of the critical issues facing the church and the academy can be traced to a failure to recognize that human beings have both a spirit and a body?Read more…