Wordsworth wrote an endless poem in blank verse on” the growth of a poet’s mind.” I shall attempt a more modest feat for a more distracted age: a blog, “Things which a Lifetime of Trying to Be a Poet has Taught Me.”
I have seen this book in person. These reproductions do not do it justice. Neither does the poem–but I hope it captures something.
THE LINDISFARNE GOSPELS
The British Museum, London
(Since Moved to the British Library)
The monks of Lindisfarne illuminate,
In brilliant tones of gold and blue and red,
A text. That beckons us to meditate
On what could lead such men to dedicate
Such long, painstaking labors to the dead?
The monks of Lindisfarne illuminate
A lot of things, if we but ruminate
Enough to follow out the knotted thread.
“A text that beckons us to meditate
Deserves such honor; so we celebrate
The truth it teaches us,” they might have said,
The monks of Lindisfarne. “Illuminate
Our hearts, restore our souls, and elevate
Our minds that we may read the way they read
This text that beckons us.” To meditate
Like that before the Lord might be the gate
That leads us back to where the flock is fed.
Thus, monks of Lindisfarne illuminate
All texts that beckon us to meditate.
Donald T. Williams, PhD
Remember: for more poetry like this, go to https://lanternhollow.wordpress.com/store/ and order Stars Through the Clouds! Also look for Inklings of Reality and Reflections from Plato’s Cave, Williams’ newest books from Lantern Hollow Press: Evangelical essays in pursuit of Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. And look for Williams’ very latest books: Deeper Magic: The Theology behind the Writings of C. S. Lewis (Baltimore: Square Halo Books, 2016) and “An Encouraging Thought”: The Christian Worldview in the Writings of L. R. R. Tolkien (Cambridge, OH: Christian Publishing House, 2018)! Order from the publisher or Amazon.
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