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.”
Physics and chemistry have moved beyond the four elements of medieval lore. Symbolism has not. And that is a good thing.
ELEMENTARY
“And the world was without form and void, and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was brooding over the surface of the waters.”
Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire
Each against the others strain
Until the stronger God, Desire,
Binds them in the Golden Chain.
Water, Wind, Fire, and Earth
Mix in Chaos uncontrolled
Until sweet Order, brought to birth,
Links them in the Chain of Gold.
Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water,
Each of which, in Nature’s course,
Would make the world’s foundations totter,
Bow before a greater Force.
Fire, Earth, Water, Wind
Perform what they’ve no knowledge of:
Find their unity and end
Within the Golden Chain of Love.
Harmony in universe,
From cacophony, a choir;
Thus does Grace redeem the curse
Of Earth, Water, Wind, and Fire.
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), An Encouraging Thought: The Christian Worldview in the Writings of L. R. R. Tolkien (Cambridge, OH: Christian Publishing House, 2018), and The Young Christian’s Survival Guide: Common Questions Young Christians Are Asked about God, the Bible, and the Christian Faith Answered (Cambridge, OH: Christian Publishing House, 2019)! Order from the publisher or Amazon.