Thanks, Doug. What nice things you say.
L
On 15 January 2015 at 16:08, Douglas Barbour <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Nicely contradictory, & aware of it, right there where...
>
> Doug
> On Jan 14, 2015, at 4:35 AM, Lawrence Upton <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
>
> > It is one thing, but not one thing alone,
> > to say "I am a Christian", believing it;
> > and another to know precisely what it means.
> > A man who is thought wise beyond his years,
> > a numerate analyst, queries the counting;
> > suggests the deity must grow three heads.
> > "Three wives? No wives?! How dull. His son's mother -
> > she died?" No. Yes. "She stayed a virgin?
> > This three part male - he cannot get it up?"
> > An armed princeling demands "You eat your God?
> > I think perhaps the mistress might be ours.
> > She to whom we do homage. Powerful
> > she is. Very powerful." It is one thing
> > but not one thing entire to love a God
> > so jealous he denies all others life,
> > condemning them as devil. So one's taught.
> > Not that I've ever heard him speak aloud;
> > and there are bits dropped out or covered up
> > in my credo. I believe in my fear
> > and in my desire; and in my yearning wish
> > to be protected from malice, vengeance
> > and capriciousness. I would rather not have
> > any of the heard truths, staying ignorant,
> > keeping each interested entity appeased,
> > knowing I would have been most happy gardening
> > where all one does improves without decay.
> > Even the dismal fields beneath the soil -
> > Why else do worms resist the pecking birds? -
> > would best the stale torment of contradiction.
> > Let God have his churches, conquests and many words.
> > I would be friends with all, but I am followed
> > everywhere by fire which becomes bread and spirit --
> > which twists into descending blaze. Dear God,
> > let me worship that which threatens. Have faith.
> > I cannot separate belief from real danger.
> > I do not think I have ever fallen
> > except when sick or drunk. Let me survive.
> > Please give your welcome; but do not save me
> > and I'll attest whatever you demand;
> > but leave me space and time for other strengths
> > and for somewhere alone with my world empty.
> >
> >
> > [Elidius is one of the names of one who may have lived at some time
> > after the Roman period on Scilly, or, as it then seems to have been
> > called, Ennor. There is no evidence of him apart from the earlier name
> > of St Helen's island, where it is said he may have been buried, Insula
> > Sancti Elidii. His feast day is 8th August. Until now he has had no
> > hagiographer. ]
> >
>
> Douglas Barbour
> [log in to unmask]
>
> Recent publications: (With Sheila E Murphy) Continuations & Continuation 2
> (UofAPress).
> Recording Dates (Rubicon Press).
>
> that we are only
> as we find out we are
>
> Charles Olson
>
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