Dante and Beatrice in the Heaven of Saturn – Botticelli
A while back I wrote a little sequence of poems called ‘Seven Heavens, Seven Hells’, which took the mediaeval vision of the seven spheres of the heavens, the spheres that Dante travels through and about which Lewis writes in The Discarded Image, and used them as a pattern for some contemporary reflections. Saturn, the furthest of the spheres was associated in the mediaeval mind with disaster and melancholia – but also with wisdom. And re-reading my little poem on Saturnian wisdom I thought it might have something to say to us in this moment. There is so much heart-break everywhere, so many endings, and in the end only God himself can wipe away our tears, for in Christ he knows what it is to shed them, but I hope these lines may speak into some hearts for good.
The poem was published last year in my book After Prayer. You can hear me read it by clicking on the title or the ‘play’ button
I
In every heart-break wisdom can be found,
The end of things may be the place to start,
The hard frost helps to break the stony ground
In every heart.
Nothing remains the same, things fall apart.
We listen for the music; not a sound.
But we discover, silent and apart,
The meditative minutes circle round,
There is a deeper dance, an inner art,
There is a hidden treasure to be found
In every heart.
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Right now, the music is that of the wind, sighing, pleading, groaning, haunting. Hard to sing along when my spirit is still wrapped in Resurrection.
It haunts like Good Friday…
~ Linda
Thanks, Malcolm. Stan and I (who live in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) have been enjoying and appreciating your poetry ever since we attended the C.S. Lewis anniversary event in London – the only time we’ve traveled abroad, and a great experience. I hope you are staying well!
Thanks Barbara yes I remember that occasion very well. We are ok so far, thanks for asking
lovely.
Malcolm, I have very much enjoyed reading and listening this past week to your searching out God’s riddles via poetic form. They marvel, coax and pull you inside these holy mysteries in a gentle, inviting way. Thank-you!
Thanks
Wonderful poem–and yes, it does speak beautifully to our present day. Thanks.
Thanks
Malcolm, this poem appears to have been written for this season of distance, heartbreak and “falling apart”. In this time of quietness and unexpected sabbath, may my heart truly be drawn into that deeper dance! Thank you for putting into words what my heart so often feels
Thanks Glenda it’s strange how things on has written earlier seem to take on new life and meaning
I just wanted to write a thank you for all you’ve done over the internet through Lent and this Easter season. I cannot express how your poems and the bits of notes with them have nurtured me – soul deep. Poetry is not my native language and I am excited to begin to discover this rich and enriching tongue. In your poems I have found deep wells of meaning and sympathy and connection to our God that is invaluable. Thank you seems inadequate.
Kathryn
Many thanks for this encouragement
Thank you, so beautiful
Roslyn
Melbourne ,Australia
As my mother nears the end of her journey in this life and I cannot be with her, this is poignant and reminds me of the hope that sustains me and her. Thank you.
My heart goes out to you and I’m honoured if my poem has helped in any way
A beautiful poem.