I was still up in my northwest office on a recent evening when a line of storms came through. Continue reading →

Well, sort of. Continue reading →

I’ll tell you what: Gerard Manley Hopkins makes me wish I were a theist.

To what serves Mortal Beauty?

TO what serves mortal beauty ‘ -dangerous; does set danc-
ing blood-the O-seal-that-so ‘ feature, flung prouder form
Than Purcell tune lets tread to? ‘ See: it does this: keeps warm
Men’s wits to the things that are; ‘ what good means-where a glance
Master more may than gaze, ‘ gaze out of countenance.
Those lovely lads once, wet-fresh ‘ windfalls of war’s storm,
How then should Gregory, a father, ‘ have gleaned else from swarm-
ed Rome? But God to a nation ‘ dealt that day’s dear chance.
To man, that needs would worship ‘ block or barren stone,
Our law says: Love what are ‘ love’s worthiest, were all known;
World’s loveliest-men’s selves. Self ‘ flashes off frame and face.
What do then? how meet beauty? ‘ Merely meet it; own,
Home at heart, heaven’s sweet gift; ‘ then leave, let that alone.
Yea, wish that though, wish all, ‘ God’s better beauty, grace.
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I just looked it up. White lilies signify “restored innocence after death.”

If only it were that simple.

I’ll give you a trigger warning right now: this is not a pretty post. It is not a gardening post. I’m writing it for myself, really. There are violence and death, and way too much sorrow. Proceed at your own risk.

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