Continuing in my series offering some glimpses from my forthcoming book Parable and Paradox, here is the last in a sequence of seven sonnets on the ‘I M’ sayings in John’s gospel. this one is on one of my favourites ‘I Am the Vine, ye are the branches’.
Parable and Paradox is available to order on Amazon here and in the USA and will be available from May 30th
As always you can hear me read the poem by clicking on the title or the play button
John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
How might it feel to be part of the vine?
Not just to see the vineyard from afar
Or even pluck the clusters, press the wine,
But to be grafted in, to feel the stir
Of inward sap that rises from our root,
Himself deep planted in the ground of Love,
To feel a leaf unfold a tender shoot,
As tendrils curled unfurl, as branches give
A little to the swelling of the grape,
In gradual perfection, round and full,
To bear within oneself the joy and hope
Of God’s good vintage, till it’s ripe and whole.
What might it mean to bide and to abide
In such rich love as makes the poor heart glad?
Thank you so much, Malcolm. A pregnant poem if ever there was one. p. >
Thanks Pat!
Gosh, there are references here that I can link into my MA dissertation … if I can pull it off 🙂
Excellent!
Thank you Richard
Your bishop is about to sin gravely and steal the phrase “God’s good vintage” for regular future use. Great sonnet on a very special passage of scripture. Roots, Shoots, Fruits!
Thanks! Always happy for you to make free of any phrases!
I love the way you get right inside the subject on a spiritual as well as a material level … brings freshness to such a rich deep concept.
Thanks M
Thank you…
Pingback: Trying to listen to God | Andrea Skevington