As a busy young mom, I used to type out a poem and tape it over the kitchen sink to memorize while I did the dishes. "Because housewives need well-furnished minds- we live in them so much" (Phyllis McGinley).
"A poem should be palpable and mute, as a globed fruit..."
We memorized a poem every week in Jr. High English. Sr. Virginia would pick victims to recite it in front of class. We tried to be invisible. "O Captain My Captain our fearful trip is done..." Wiki hints Whitman had a boyfriend. What would Sr. Virginia say - gay is an adjective meaning merry. But that was long ago and far away.
Nice selections, and I heartily agree with your point about memorizing and (above all) reading aloud poetry. Reading with an interior voice doesn't allow the full music of the poem to ring forth.
One of Hopkins' poems that sticks in my head is Batter My Heart, Three Person'd God-- I think that one clearly speaks to us as sinners in desperate need of help.
However I have to take issue with your dismissal of Chesterton's poetry as merely "quirky"-- The Ballad of the White Horse is one of the most beautiful poems I've ever read, and is deeply, deeply Catholic. I honestly can't get through it without tears. And Lepanto was described by Belloc as one of the greatest poems of his generation.
This is Julian's dad writing, as he's traveling at the moment. I personally wouldn't dismiss all of GKC's poetry as quirky, but his more incidental pieces tend to be that way. "Batter My Heart" is by John Donne - an amazing poem!
Julien, your article prompted me to dust off Joseph Pearce's anthology 'Poems Every Catholic Should Know' to see if your selection overlapped his. Just As Kingfishers Catch Fire, made the cut, but no matter, the process itself led me to discovering Belloc's 'The End of the Road'. How did I ever miss this gem? I've been reading this daily, and I'm determined to memorise this and make it a life long companion. Wouldn't this be at home in The Prancing Pony and good ale? Very entertaining.
As a busy young mom, I used to type out a poem and tape it over the kitchen sink to memorize while I did the dishes. "Because housewives need well-furnished minds- we live in them so much" (Phyllis McGinley).
"A poem should be palpable and mute, as a globed fruit..."
"When I consider how my light is spent, ..."
"As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame..."
Thank you for reminding me of a happy past time, with this lovely article.
Thanks for your comment, glad you enjoyed it! You might like these as well, given the dishes/poetry comment: crisismagazine.com/opinion/the-universal-call-to-hobbitness and https://crisismagazine.com/opinion/eight-activities-of-the-renaissance-woman
Thank you for putting this on Substack and also for making it free!
We memorized a poem every week in Jr. High English. Sr. Virginia would pick victims to recite it in front of class. We tried to be invisible. "O Captain My Captain our fearful trip is done..." Wiki hints Whitman had a boyfriend. What would Sr. Virginia say - gay is an adjective meaning merry. But that was long ago and far away.
Julian, thanks. Really well done! I totally enjoyed Hopkins’ selections especially as it brought back English classes of long ago!
You did an excellent rendition of these 5 poems. Please keep up the good work!
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it!
Yes indeed!
Psalm 19:title–6 (ESV): Psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In them he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them,
and there is nothing hidden from its heat.
The last one was my favorite. Thank you for the article!
Nice selections, and I heartily agree with your point about memorizing and (above all) reading aloud poetry. Reading with an interior voice doesn't allow the full music of the poem to ring forth.
One of Hopkins' poems that sticks in my head is Batter My Heart, Three Person'd God-- I think that one clearly speaks to us as sinners in desperate need of help.
However I have to take issue with your dismissal of Chesterton's poetry as merely "quirky"-- The Ballad of the White Horse is one of the most beautiful poems I've ever read, and is deeply, deeply Catholic. I honestly can't get through it without tears. And Lepanto was described by Belloc as one of the greatest poems of his generation.
This is Julian's dad writing, as he's traveling at the moment. I personally wouldn't dismiss all of GKC's poetry as quirky, but his more incidental pieces tend to be that way. "Batter My Heart" is by John Donne - an amazing poem!
I don't know how I mixed up Donne with Hopkins, but of course you're correct. Thanks for pointing it out!
Julien, your article prompted me to dust off Joseph Pearce's anthology 'Poems Every Catholic Should Know' to see if your selection overlapped his. Just As Kingfishers Catch Fire, made the cut, but no matter, the process itself led me to discovering Belloc's 'The End of the Road'. How did I ever miss this gem? I've been reading this daily, and I'm determined to memorise this and make it a life long companion. Wouldn't this be at home in The Prancing Pony and good ale? Very entertaining.
Thanks, I'll look those suggestions up!
I would like to share this link to you since you live music.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/501411895769067?fs=e&s=TIeQ9V&mibextid=0VwfS7
One article for bookmarking!
Excellent article!