Roger Aubrey

Summer poetry

Thomas Gray's Elegy Written in a Country Church-Yard, written in 1751, is an evocative English poem. For me, this is the time of year to read it: a warm summer's evening, sitting in the garden with a glass of chilled white wine (if you're old enough).

I'll give you the opening verse; maybe it will tempt you to visit the link, print it off and find a suitable place to read it and reflect on it.

The curfew tolls the knell of parting day/the lowing herd wind slowly oe'r the lea/The ploughman homeward plods his weary way/And leaves the world to darkness and to me.

Go on, get yourself some culture.

Call of the Wild

I came across the poem 'The Call of the Wild' by Robert Service some years ago when reading Jim Elliot. He had it in his journal and it speaks about breaking the confines of mediocrity and sameness. Service was not a Christian, but the poem eloquently expresses the adventure that life should be. Here's the last verse...

How Do I Love Thee?

Today I officiated at the wedding of two young people in our church. I have not done one for such a long time; but there was a season in my life when almost each month was taken up with a wedding. So it was quite refreshing to be asked to marry Richard and Rebekah today. I enjoyed seeing their love for each other shine through and overcome their nerves. When they made their covenant vows to each other it was a powerful reminder of what love can do.

One of the greatest love poems in the English language was written by Elizabeth Barrett Browning; if you've ever been in love you'll know what she's writing about.

If you haven't been in love....it's fantastic! Read the poem out loud; that's the way poetry's meant to be read.

Ozymandias

Now for some culture. I love poetry and plan to post some good stuff for you here. This one is by Percy B. Shelley and tells of the fleeting, temporal nature of man and his ambitions. I'm glad I'm part of the Kingdom of God with a King - Jesus - who will never cease reigning. Enjoy.