Tell all the Truth but tell it slant

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant -
Success in Circuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise

As Lightning to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind -

Emily Dickinson (1830-1886)

I came across this poem while working on one of my papers this weekend and thought it was very fitting for what I was writing at the time. The paper had to do with the slow revelation that the disciples went through as they spent time with Jesus during his ministry. Their understanding of the term Messiah was much narrower than what Jesus took the term to be and over time you see this ever so slow expansion of understanding, until they achieved full understanding at Pentecost (Acts 2).

Anyway, I thought the poem was great and while I love poetry I had never come across this one in the past. I just thought I would share.

So True, So Funny, So Sad

I saw this posted on Dr. Groothuis’ blog and had to share with you all.Enjoy!

Direct link to YouTube: Poetry Video

The Prayer Chair

One of my favorite Christian philosopher’s and authors, Dr. Douglas Groothuis, has posted a wonderful poem on his blog. I would encourage you all to go and read The Prayer Chair. I am not sure if he is the author of it or not, but regardless, it is a great little poem.

A More Creative Side

Before I began writing music and lyrics I used to love to both read and write poetry. I think the musical side sort of banged that out of me a bit. I was looking over some of my “work” (I use the word ever-so lightly) and came across this which is not too terrible.

Circle of Five

Take heed, be shrewed, an answer me
If you can find the riddles key
For all may be not as you see
As nature of a riddle be

Where once was three, there now is none
For good has wrought what evil’s done
And if the moon it’s face does show
Ne’er shall we see it’s silvery glow
What will it take to stop this wrong?
A heart more purer than the dawn
For a pure heart will not fail thee
In they greatest time of need
Yet needs are meet when one has sought
That item which possesses thought
Few greater gifts were given man
But now they lie in evil hands
Hands with a heart and mind and soul
To use for it’s own evil goals
Now think on this, but not too long
For night time brings another dawn
For if you brave such noble task
Then waste no more, the minutes pass
If you accept where this path leads
Then just reach our and strike a key

Only as far as we can see
Is where occured this tragedy
But it’s not farther than you think
Unless, of course, your minds a-blink
Make haste, but guard, lest foot should slip
Unloosen neither tongue nor lip
For evil will not lurk too far
As your path it seeks to bar
But you will know when time has come
Whom to receive and whom to shun
If you succeed then rest assured
You shall receive your just reward
From this one and lonely man
With silvery tongue and ivory hand

september 26, 1992 - snw

 

From time to time I might put up more originals or other poems that I love. Poetry is such a noble art form.

Another From Lewis

Time and Tide

Among the hills a meteorite
Lies huge; and moss has overgrown,
And wind and rain with touches light
Made soft, the contours of the stone.

Thus easily can Earth digest
A cinder of sidereal fire,
And make her translunary guest
The native of an English shire.

Nor is it strange these wanderers
Find in her lap their fitting place,
For every particle that’s hers
Came at the first from outer space.

All that is Earth has once been sky;
Down from the sun of old she came,
Or from some start that travelled by
Too close to his entangling flame.

Hence, if belated drops yet fall
From heaven, on these her plastic power
Still works as once it worked on all
The glad rush of the golden shower.

- C.S. Lewis

Next Page »