Saturday, July 4, 2009

HOPKINS, SUNSET, THE LAKE



As a fiery sunset lit the north shore, and a kingfisher's call broke the stillness, I was reminded of this, a favorite poem by the Jesuit poet, Gerard Manley Hopkins.



As Kingfishers Catch Fire

As kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies draw flame;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell's
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves — goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying Whát I dó is me: for that I came.

I say móre: the just man justices;
Keeps grace: thát keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God's eye what in God's eye he is —
Chríst — for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men's faces.

Gerard Manley Hopkins, 1918



Belted Kingfisher call


Photos: (top) sunset colors in my neighbor’s yard (bottom) elk bones from Alberta, glowing on my patio

14 comments:

SandyCarlson said...

What a perfect way to start the morning. God bless!

bobbie said...

I love that red glow... and the kingfisher's cry.

sgreerpitt said...

thanks for sharing that lovely poem. What brilliant fiery color!

Great Grandma Lin said...

lovely photos and poem...thanks for a great way to start the day...

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Beautiful poem, Deb... It fits your photos perfectly. The red glow of the sunset is marvelous!!!

Hope you are having a great weekend.
Hugs,
Betsy

Sylvia K said...

Yes, definitely a marvelous way to start the day! Fantastic red glow and a lovely poem as well! Doesn't get any better!

Enjoy your weekend!

Anonymous said...

Oh, I like this post, and that poem. You are such a nourishing person, Deb.

EG CameraGirl said...

The light is beautiful!Just love this time of evening. ;-)

EG CameraGirl said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dianne said...

I love the light, makes all things seem possible

magiceye said...

wonderful images and poem!

Quiet Paths said...

What a pleasure to read this poem. Thank you for posting it. If I had to choose, the kingfisher would be at the top of my most dearly held birds.

BPOTW said...

That's a great post! Love the photos and verse.

Kathie Brown said...

An interesting poem. I am still thinking on it and mulling it over in my brain. I like the line about "what I do is me," but the question arises, is it really, or are we more than what we do?