Scribe of the Kingdom, Keeper of the Door
As well as being t St. Cecilia’s day, 22nd November is also the day CS Lewis died in 1963. I remember the great celebration of his life, work and witness we had throughout 2013 and especially the honour and pleasure I had in Lecturing on him at St. Margaret’s Westminster and attending the ceremony at which his memorial stone was installed in Poet’s corner, an event that would not have taken place without the hard work and forsight of Michael Ward amongst others. I wrote a sonnet for Lewis as part of that year of celebration., and so, on the Anniversary of his death, I am posting it again here. It waspublished in my volume of poems The Singing Bowl, with Canterbury Press.
As usual you can hear me read the poem by clicking on the ‘play’ button, or on the title of the poem
CS Lewis
From ‘Beer and Beowulf’ to the seven heavens,
Whose music you conduct from sphere to sphere,
You are our portal to those hidden havens
Whence we return to bless our being here.
Scribe of the Kingdom, keeper of the door
Which opens on to all we might have lost,
Ward of a word-hoard in the deep hearts core
Telling the tale of Love from first to last.
Generous, capacious, open, free,
Your wardrobe-mind has furnished us with worlds
Through which to travel, whence we learn to see
Along the beam, and hear at last the heralds,
Sounding their summons, through the stars that sing,
Whose call at sunrise brings us to our King.
Your wardrobe mind has furnished us with worlds
Really lovely Malcolm, Thank you for this. You have some very lovely phrases here that I think CS Lewis would have been very fond of…hidden havens; ward of a word-hoard; your wardrobe mind has furnished us…; to echo just a few… Thanks again, Judith
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Thanks
“Scribe of the Kingdom, keeper of the door
Which opens on to all we might have lost,”
Yes, so grateful for the riches CSL shared with all of us. And appreciate your lovely nod to Michael Ward in your wonderful sonnet, as well.
Lovely. The allusions to Lewis’s words and ideas are wonderful. This is perfect to share with our Inklings conference being held this weekend in Northern Virginia. Thanks and blessings from across the pond, Melanie
Beautiful tribute to a man whose vision has formed so many of us. Sincere thanks, Malcolm
Beautifully worded and true. Lewis indeed invited us to the Other World in so many ways.
Your words, Malcolm, soothe the weary soul
, and bid us enter.
Bid us to relax, bid us to surrender. Thank you.
Thanks
“Ward of a word-hoard in the deep hearts core
Telling the tale of Love from first to last.”
I want to live into these words fully.
Thanks. The phrase ‘the deep heart’s core’ was a nod to Yeats whose poetry Lewis loved
Beautiful. A deep, thoughtful tribute, rich in allusions, to a man who has been a major influence for many in their Christian walk.
Thanks