 |
| (Robert Frost) |
The epitaph on his gravestone reads, “ I had a lovers quarrel with the world." These words describe the life of Robert Frost. He was raised in poverty, but attended both Harvard and Dartmouth. And though he failed to graduate from either university he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize four times and called the poet of the twentieth century.
When I read Birches emotion wells up in my spirit as I am drawn into the poet's heart. He reflects upon his yesterday with redemptive imagination and shows the reader a work of grace.
…. So I was once myself a swinger of birches.
And so I dream of going back to be.
It’s when I’m weary of considerations,
And life is too much like a pathless wood
Where your face burns and tickles with the cobwebs
Broken across it, and one eye is weeping
From a twig’s having lashed across it open.
I’d like to get away from earth awhile
And then come back to it and begin over….
In the book of Psalms I find David, the poet of God, with a similar desire. For he says“…Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” (Ps.55: 6) David the son of Jesse who was called the sweet psalmist of Israel also wanted to get away from earth for a while.
I have a question for you about this thing called, "life." How is it working for you right now? If you are frustrated then may recommend the company of a couple of poets.
There is good news. While in this world there are occasions when like Frost, we walk through a pathless wood there is grace for the occasion. And though David may have been tempted to fly away and be at rest however at the end of the day he said, “As for me, I will call upon God, and the lord will save me.” (Ps.55: 16)
What birches were to Frost, and the dove was to David, poetry and literature represent to me. They each provide an escape from chaos and a refuge from confusion. However at the end of the day, I find healing and rest are products of grace.
And so today I find the words of two poets who were separated by several thousand years and two different cultures express the same emotion and come to the same conclusion. This speaks to my soul and shows this world a reflection of grace
There is good news. While in this world there are occasions when like Frost, we walk through a pathless wood there is grace for the occasion. And though David may have been tempted to fly away and be at rest however at the end of the day he said, “As for me, I will call upon God, and the lord will save me.” (Ps.55: 16)
What birches were to Frost, and the dove was to David, poetry and literature represent to me. They each provide an escape from chaos and a refuge from confusion. However at the end of the day, I find healing and rest are products of grace.
And so today I find the words of two poets who were separated by several thousand years and two different cultures express the same emotion and come to the same conclusion. This speaks to my soul and shows this world a reflection of grace
No comments:
Post a Comment