As a busy young mom, I used to type out a poem and tape it over the kitchen sink to memorize while I did the dishes. "Because housewives need well-furnished minds- we live in them so much" (Phyllis McGinley).
"A poem should be palpable and mute, as a globed fruit..."
We memorized a poem every week in Jr. High English. Sr. Virginia would pick victims to recite it in front of class. We tried to be invisible. "O Captain My Captain our fearful trip is done..." Wiki hints Whitman had a boyfriend. What would Sr. Virginia say - gay is an adjective meaning merry. But that was long ago and far away.
Julien, your article prompted me to dust off Joseph Pearce's anthology 'Poems Every Catholic Should Know' to see if your selection overlapped his. Just As Kingfishers Catch Fire, made the cut, but no matter, the process itself led me to discovering Belloc's 'The End of the Road'. How did I ever miss this gem? I've been reading this daily, and I'm determined to memorise this and make it a life long companion. Wouldn't this be at home in The Prancing Pony and good ale? Very entertaining.
As a busy young mom, I used to type out a poem and tape it over the kitchen sink to memorize while I did the dishes. "Because housewives need well-furnished minds- we live in them so much" (Phyllis McGinley).
"A poem should be palpable and mute, as a globed fruit..."
"When I consider how my light is spent, ..."
"As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame..."
Thank you for reminding me of a happy past time, with this lovely article.
Thanks for your comment, glad you enjoyed it! You might like these as well, given the dishes/poetry comment: crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-universal-call-to-hobbitness and https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/eight-activities-of-the-renaissance-woman
We memorized a poem every week in Jr. High English. Sr. Virginia would pick victims to recite it in front of class. We tried to be invisible. "O Captain My Captain our fearful trip is done..." Wiki hints Whitman had a boyfriend. What would Sr. Virginia say - gay is an adjective meaning merry. But that was long ago and far away.
Julien, your article prompted me to dust off Joseph Pearce's anthology 'Poems Every Catholic Should Know' to see if your selection overlapped his. Just As Kingfishers Catch Fire, made the cut, but no matter, the process itself led me to discovering Belloc's 'The End of the Road'. How did I ever miss this gem? I've been reading this daily, and I'm determined to memorise this and make it a life long companion. Wouldn't this be at home in The Prancing Pony and good ale? Very entertaining.
I would like to share this link to you since you live music.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/501411895769067?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=0VwfS7
Julian, thanks. Really well done! I totally enjoyed Hopkins’ selections especially as it brought back English classes of long ago!
You did an excellent rendition of these 5 poems. Please keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it!
Yes indeed!
Psalm 19:title–6 (ESV): Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
One article for bookmarking!
The last one was my favorite. Thank you for the article!
Excellent article!