Category Archives: Poetry

Another atheist converts to Christianity: Richard Dawkins bangs head against wall

Posted on 28/07/2012 by

Former atheist poet reveals details of her Catholic conversion “Until two years ago, I was a really committed atheist and I really hated the Catholic Church,” said poet Sally Read, as she explained how all that dramatically changed during nine … Continue reading →

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More poems by Dana Gioia

Posted on 21/06/2012 by

More poems by Dana Gioia

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‘The Angel with the Broken Wing’ by Dana Gioia

Posted on 20/06/2012 by

The Angel with the Broken Wing by Dana Gioia I am the Angel with the Broken Wing, The one large statue in this quiet room. The staff finds me too fierce, and so they shut Faith’s ardor in this air-conditioned … Continue reading →

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Poem of the day: ‘Advent’ by Patrick Kavanagh

Posted on 25/09/2011 by

‘Advent’ by Patrick Kavanagh We have tested and tasted too much, lover- Through a chink too wide there comes in no wonder. But here in the Advent-darkened room Where the dry black bread and the sugarless tea Of penance will … Continue reading →

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Listen to the poem ‘The Broadening Spring’ read by its author Jack Clemo

Posted on 17/02/2011 by

The Broadening Spring by Jack Clemo

Posted in Authors, Poetry, Presbyterian, Reformed

Cornish Calvinist poet Jack Clemo’s love letters

Posted on 17/02/2011 by

Clemo’s Love Letters Heartfelt Valentines cards written by the Cornish poet Reginald John ‘Jack’ Clemo have been uncovered by researchers at Exeter University as part of the Archive Awareness Campaign.  Clemo didn’t find true love until he reached his early ’50s.

Posted in Authors, Poetry, Presbyterian, Reformed

Poetry: ‘The Bright Field’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 03/01/2011 by

The Bright Field by R. S. Thomas I have seen the sun break through to illuminate a small field for a while, and gone my way and forgotten it.  But that was the pearl of great price, the one field … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

‘Hill Christmas’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 25/12/2010 by

Hill Christmas by R. S. Thomas They came over the snow to the bread’s purer snow, fumbled it in their huge hands, put their lips to it like beasts, stared into the dark chalice where the wine shone, felt it sharp … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

Doubting Thomas — an introduction to the poetry of R. S. Thomas

Posted on 10/11/2010 by

For those interested in the work of the great twentieth-century Welsh poet, R. S. Thomas: Doubting Thomas – an introduction to the poetry of R. S. Thomas

Posted in Authors, Poetry

‘Pieta’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 10/11/2010 by

Pieta by R. S. Thomas Always the same hills Crowd the horizon. Remote witnesses Of the still scene. And in the foreground The tall Cross. Sombre, untenanted, Aches for the Body That is back in the cradle Of a maid’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

Poetry: ‘In Church’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 10/11/2010 by

In Church by R. S. Thomas Often I try To analyse the quality Of its silences.  Is this where God hides From my searching?  I have stopped to listen, After the few people have gone, To the air recomposing itself … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

Poetry: ‘The Chapel’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 10/11/2010 by

The Chapel by R. S. Thomas A little aside from the main road, becalmed in a last-century greyness, there is the chapel, ugly, without the appeal to the tourist to stop his car and visit it.  The traffic goes by, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

‘In a Country Church’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 06/11/2010 by

In a Country Church by R. S. Thomas  To one kneeling down no word came, Only the wind’ s song, saddening the lips Of the grave saints, rigid in glass; Or the dry whisper of unseen wings, Bats not angels, … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

‘Covenant’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 04/11/2010 by

Covenant by R. S. Thomas   I feel sometimes       we are his penance for having made us.  He suffers in us and we partake       of his sufferings.  What to do, when it has been done       already?  Where … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

‘The Coming’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 31/10/2010 by

The Coming by R. S. Thomas And God held in his hand A small globe.  Look, he said. The son looked.  Far off, As through water, he saw A scorched land of fierce Colour.  The light burned There; crusted buildings … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

‘The Country Clergy’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 29/10/2010 by

The Country Clergy by R. S. Thomas   I see them working in old rectories By the sun’s light, by candlelight, Venerable men, their black cloth A little dusty, a little green With holy mildew.  And yet their skulls, Ripening … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

‘The Woman’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 29/10/2010 by

The Woman by R. S. Thomas So beautiful — God himself quailed at her approach: the long body curved like the horizon.  Why had he made her so?  How would it be, she said, leaning towards him, if instead of … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

‘Chapel Deacon’ by R. S. Thomas

Posted on 29/10/2010 by

Chapel Deacon by R. S. Thomas  Who put that crease in your soul, Davies, ready this fine morning For the staid chapel, where the Book’s frown Sobers the sunlight?  Who taught you to pray And scheme at once, your eyes … Continue reading →

Posted in Poetry

Quote of the day — Søren Kierkegaard on poetry and poets

Posted on 25/08/2010 by

‘What is a poet?  An unhappy man who hides deep anguish in his heart, but whose lips are so formed that when the sigh and cry pass through them, it sounds like lovely music . . .  And people flock … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors, Philosophy, Poetry, Quote of the Day

My favourite portrait of Jack Clemo

Posted on 05/07/2010 by

Jack Clemo photograph by Tricia Porter

Posted in Authors, Poetry, Presbyterian, Reformed, Visual Arts

A fine photograph of C.S. Lewis

Posted on 25/06/2010 by
Posted in Authors, C. S. Lewis, Inklings, Poetry

Cornish poet Jack Clemo: ‘The Excavator’

Posted on 17/08/2006 by

The Excavator I stand here musing in the rain This Sabbath evening where the pit-head stain Of bushes is uprooted, strewn In waggon-tracks and puddles, While the fleering downpour fuddles The few raw flowers along the mouldering dump – Ridge … Continue reading →

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Cornish poet Jack Clemo: ‘A Calvinist in Love’

Posted on 14/08/2006 by

A Calvinist in Love I will not kiss you, country fashion, By hedgesides where Weasel and hare Claim kinship with our passion. I care no more for fickle moonlight: Would rather see Your face touch me Under a claywork dune-light. … Continue reading →

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Cornish poet Jack Clemo: ‘The Flooded Clay-Pit’

Posted on 14/08/2006 by

The Flooded Clay-Pit These white crags Cup waves that rub more greedily Now half-way up the chasm; you see Doomed foliage hang like rags; The whole clay-belly sags. What scenes far Beneath those waters: chimney-pots That used to smoke; brown … Continue reading →

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