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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: The Reader (04/15/10)
Embracing the life as the Reader of mystical, spiritual, and contemplative poetry and prose, has supremely altered and changed my outlook on adversity in a purely life changing manner. Having had the privilege of learning to read has enabled me to gain new insights, lessons, and virtually anything a person may be able to learn.
Realistically speaking, the greatest lesson I have endeared close to my heart has been, that, through this type of poetry and prose, especially that of which has been written by women, ages past as well as present, has spoken to me in terms of what constitutes truth?
Truly, I say, as a reader of poetry, I have learned, there remains nothing more virtuous, nor angelic, than the free nature and spirit of a child; thus, as some may say, “The Mystic Christ,” as a child, has taught me so much; though the greatest lesson has been, as Jesus says, “If Spirit came into being because of the body, it is a wonder of wonders. Indeed, I am amazed at how this great wealth [the spirit] has made its home in this poverty [the body].” (Gospel of Thomas).
For truly, as in a poem by Ann Griffiths speaks to me, the reader, through her poetry translated by H.A. Hodges,
“His left hand, in heat of noonday,
Lovingly my head upholds,
And his right hand, filled with blessings,
Tenderly my soul enfolds.
I adjure you, nature’s darlings,
Beautiful in field and grove,
Stir not up, till he be willing,
Him who is my glorious Love.”
Ann Griffiths was a Methodist mystic and considered to be the greatest woman poet of the Welsh language. Through this beautiful piece, I strongly feel, the Beloved is Christ and it is not “love” which must not be awakened, (“Stir not up, till he be willing”) until it is ripe, but, the Divine Presence himself.
Truly yes, we are blessed in an ecstatic veneration of tenderly embracing a very discerning love and passion we acquire, by the good grace of God, for the rhythmic, mystical, and metaphorical composition of poetry and prose, sharing, the lovely fruits of the Spirit of Truth, as well as the ever elated beauty and substance we may find, for the “freedom of our souls.”

Sources:

Jane Hirshfield, "Women in Praise of the Sacred," New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, 1994.

Ethan Walker III, "The Mystic Christ," Norman, OK: Devi Press, 2003.
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Member Comments
Member
Date
Mildred Sheldon
04/22/10
Thank you for this very interesting article. I enjoyed it very much. Keep writing.
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
04/26/10
Interesting and different pov It could use some white space to break it up. Although you showed references I couldn't help but wonder if you'd need the author's permission to use her work. Your love for the written word especially women's is very clear and evidence of your passion for Christ and for poetry. Don't ever stop writing or lose your passion.