Editor’s Note: Katie O’Neil, our volunteer poetry resource, has an obvious love for that written form. She has a degree in literature with a specialty in poetry. For that reason we have decided to add a third Sunday feature that includes Katie’s sharing of some of her knowledge in addition to the pieces she selects. I for one am lacking in knowledge about this form of the written arts. It is my hope that we can all gain more information about why poetry is a valuable art form. Poetry has had a prominent place in literature and history for centuries. A large portion of the Bible was originally poetry. Enjoy! Today’s lesson centers around a piece by the Little Flower and commentary on French poetry. Are we lucky or what? KC
In terms of saint-written poetry, I really like The Eternal Canticle [from 1896] by the French St. Therese of Lisieux [1873-1897]. It describes the reality of our imperfect, error-filled lives on earth but still has this great feeling of hope. It’s easy to feel distanced from god because of sin, sadness or disappointment, but within those feelings you can still fall back on feeling thankful, touched and honored by what we do have. At the very least, we have life itself–and all the shelter, family, food and everything else.
The poetry of St. Therese is very unique–it is both French culturally and in a very specific French style and time period [the late 1800s]. In Donald Kinney’s book The Poetry of St Therese [1995] her heartfelt, intense, emotive styling are discussed–her style is more ’emotional Greek’ than ‘elegant Roman’, more direct, repetitive, sincere and pure than complicated and jenga-like.
Her work is often an exultation from the heart, an honest feeling without artifice. Though her poetry does not always have twisting towers of woodwork, like those of Victor Hugo’s poetry [which is excellent and has been translated into English from the French], it does have layers.
Her work is more like Baudelaire, Rimbaud or Lamartine, it relies a bit more on a deeper look at the poem and subject. Instead of being dazzled by all the lovely words. As in Shelley, these Greek-style poets are closer to reality in their verse. To what real people would feel, think or say. It flows “naturally and [is] deliberately artless” [says Kinney].Many people are used to reading poetry that is extremely art-full, so it is something one has to adjust to consciously.
The focus on singing in the poem is reminiscent on the popular Christian [and very Amish] focus on singing hymns during many activities to bond with the community, feel joy and embrace God. Rituals like singing and Mass are unique ways to strengthen faith, goodness and happiness. Zephaniah 3:17 is a great example: “The Lord your God is with you, the mighty warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Also in Psalm 30:4–“Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name” and Psalm 96:1–“Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth!”
St. Therese’s poem has a great mix of moods and acknowledges the difficulties of the human situation. The image of an individual’s love sent back as a mystical dove to god is a lovely image–and is an example of what a solace loving god can be. It’s also an intellectual metaphor that’s almost Modernist or post-Modernist: the idea of humans ‘returning’ love for God the way it was sent to us like mail [ie. the holy spirit dove coming to Mary to create Jesus]. Almost like exchanging valentines.
The idea of this doubling /reverse of the dove is also something that is highlighted in Christianity–many paintings of the crucifixion include Adam’s skull beneath the cross as blood falls down to it. There are many, many echoes or affirmations of the Old Testament in both the gospels and in most European religious art.
Typically divine love is discussed as flowing down to us on earth, but cultivating a heartfelt love for the creator is a huge balm to the soul. Feeling that gratefulness, that humble in the face of all that was created for and around us is a joy.
THE ETERNAL CANTICLE.
SUNG IN BANISHMENT.
![st_therese[1]](http://blog.catholicwritersguild.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/st_therese1.png)
Exiled afar from heaven, I still, dear Lord, can sing, —
I, Thy betrothed, can sing the eternal hymn of love;
For, spite of exile comes to me, on dove-like wing,
Thy Holy Spirit’s fire of rapture from above.
Beauty supreme! my Love Thou art;
Thyself Thou givest all to me.
Oh, take my heart, my yearning heart, —
Make of my life one act of love to Thee!
Canst Thou my worthlessness efface?
In heart like mine canst make Thy home?
Yes, love wins love, — O wondrous grace!
I love Thee, love Thee! Jesu, come I
Love that enkindleth me,
Pierce and inflame me;
Come, for I cry to Thee!
Come and be mine!
Thy love it urgeth me;
Fain would I ever be
Sunken and lost in Thee,
Furnace divine!
All pain borne for Thee
Changes to joy for me,
When my love flies to Thee,
Winged like the dove.
Heavenly Completeness,
Infinite Sweetness,
My soul possesseth Thee
Here, as above.
Heavenly Completeness,
Infinite sweetness,
Naught else art Thou but Love!
KathrynCunningham
Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org