Seventh Day: Covenant

Lately, I’ve had the occasion to think about landlords, tenants, rents and ownership. Which brings to mind this wonderful unpublished poem by someone named Margaret Halaska. Pilgrim Dad and I went on a contemplative retreat recently and this was given to us as one of the readings.

COVENANT

God
knocks at my door
seeking a home for his son:

Rent is cheap, I say.

I don’t want to rent. I want to buy, says God.

I’m not sure I want to sell,
but you might come in to look around.

I think I will, says God.

I might let you have a room or two.

I like it, says God. I’ll take the two.
You might decide to give me more some day.
I can wait, says God.

I’d like to give you more,
but it’s a bit difficult. I need some space for me.

I know, says God, but I’ll wait. I like what I see.

Hm, maybe I can let you have another room.
I really don’t need that much.

Thanks, says God, I’ll take it. I like what I see.

I’d like to give you the whole house
but I’m not sure…

Think on it, says God. I wouldn’t put you out.
Your house would be mine and my son would live in it.
You’d have more space than you’d ever had before.

I don’t understand at all.

I know, says God, but I can’t tell you about that.
You’ll have to discover it for yourself.
That can only happen if you let me have the whole house.

A bit risky, I say.

Yes, says God, but try me.

I’m not sure—
I’ll let you know.

I can wait, says God. I like what I see.

- Margaret Halaska

How to Read Classic Literature At the Office

My friend PS over at Escapades is not only a superb running shoe consultant, she also unearths some of the most fabulous Internet gems.

Like this one, that gives you the perfect cover for stealth consumption of literary classics at the office. As a lover of literature, I thought this was one of the cleverest things I’ve seen on the web in a long while!

Of Garage Sales And Wondrous Treasures

Our 6th multi-family charity garage sale flew by on the blessed wings of gorgeous weather, generous donors, faithful helpers and bargain hunters. We had items of every category from 27 (!!) families, and a steady stream of customers, especially on the first day. And I am delighted to share that we raised almost $2,500 for missions work in the Philippines!

One of the things I love about garage sales is the serendipitous discovery. For me, this mostly happens in the books section. And this garage sale did not disappoint.

Gerard Manley Hopkins: Inversnaid

As a student, I used to love the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins. It wasn’t intellectual like TS Eliot, nor contemplative like Wordsworth. It wasn’t trying to be anything except a joyful exploration of how sound and language could represent the world around us. At his best, Hopkins’ poetry was worship. My favourites are The Windhover and Pied Beauty.

And continuing on the theme of nature from the last post, I’ve just discovered this one (Inversnaid is a waterfall in Scotland). What a rallying cry in the last stanza! – Pilgrim Mom

John G Saxe: The Blind Men and the Elephant

A few nights ago, I told Athos and Porthos the story of the six blind men of Hindustan. It made an impression on Athos because he asked me to tell him the story again today. And midway through the story, I suddenly remembered that there’s a poetic version. It’s a fun one for kids because it is both accessible and wise. So here it is for your enjoyment:

Robert Frost: The Road Not Taken

Today, the current circumstances of my life led me to think about Robert Frost and this wonderful poem, so often quoted that it’s almost a cliche. Happily for a child, cliches are the stuff of many tomorrows. For now, I would submit these wise words of Frost for their reflection. – Pilgrim Mom

Christina Rossetti: The Rainbow

I don’t remember much about Rossetti except her famous Goblin Market, a poem which is ostensibly about two children but was taught to me as R-rated verse! Here, though, is Rossetti at her innocent best, without any of that allusion and complex layering (as far as I can tell anyway). Nothing like a child’s poem to lift the tired spirit.

G.K Chesterton: The Donkey

I’ve read his wonderful Father Brown stories but I had no idea Chesterton also wrote poetry. A wonderful discovery for next Easter! – Pilgrim Mom

The Donkey

Ogden Nash: Celery

Ah, Nash again. A good reminder that poetry isn’t always about flights of fantasy. This is about as factual as a rhyme can get! That all our textbooks were written so memorably…. – Pilgrim Mom
Celery

Ogden Nash: Animals

Such a master of rhyming wit is Nash. Here are some of my favourite light verses on animals. I read “The Cow” to Athos last night and he laughed – Pilgrim Mom

The Cow

Emily Dickinson : Hope is the thing with feathers

New category on one of my forgotten passions – poetry. Though I think of it mostly as an adult pursuit, there’s no reason why kids cannot appreciate rhyme, metaphor and other poetic features from a young age. To kick things off, here is a delightful poem by Dickinson about that which springs eternal in the human heart. – Pilgrim Mom