Nothing is so beautiful as Spring—
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
Thrush's eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth's sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden. Have, get, before it cloy,(*)
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, 0 maid's child, thy choice and worthy the winning.
GERARD MANLEY HOPKINS (1844-1889) (*)turning sickly sweet
“GERALD MANLEY HOPKINS wrote some of the most ear-pleasing poetry of the nineteenth century. In his poetry Hopkins always tried to express the inner principle that gave a living object its delicate and surprising uniqueness. He sought to put into words the flow of the spirit's life that sweeps through the dull, dense world of matter and acts on the senses and, through them, makes the object alive to the beholder (or reader) . Here that object is a woodsy marsh in spring.
Hopkins makes spring come alive to our senses by focusing on how the song of the thrush impacts the human ear rinsing and wringing it, striking it like lightning. He also does the same with the colour blue. This juicy and joyous spring is a "strain of the earth's sweet being in the beginning in Eden garden." But just as paradise didn't last long due to humanity's sin, so spring doesn't last long. Thus, Hopkins urges us to enjoy it before it cloys and clouds over.
At the same time he urges us by Christ's power to return to innocence. We can do this by ridding ourselves of this world's encumbrances and enjoying time alone with God in nature by a stream, near the ocean, on a mountaintop, or in the woods. These creations of God still breathe with his creativity and remind us of life before sin corrupted the world.”
[The comments about the poem are from “A Poem A Day” by Philip Comfort & Daniel Partner.]
To Pray and Ponder: Time with God:
As you go around and enjoy the beauty of spring—let your senses inspire you to sing and whisper praise to God. Look at the beauty of God’s handy work. Enjoy the scent of the flowers and the feeling of fresh grass between the toes, or warmer winds on the face. I was sailing last Wednesday evening—in the dark listening to the lapping of the water—heaven. And then there is the sweet taste of honey.
Oh my soul does rejoice and delight
in the wonder of Gods handiwork.
For he made you and me and delights
in the wonder of His handiwork.
God Bless
Jon
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