Monday, December 31, 2012

Conversion

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears
I hid from Him, and under running laughter.
Up vistaed hopes I sped;
And shot, precipitated,
Adown Titanic glooms of chasmèd fears,
From those strong Feet that followed, 

followed after.
But with unhurrying chase,
And unperturbèd pace,
Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,
They beat  - and a Voice beat
More instant than the Feet -
'All things betray thee, who betrayest Me.......'


(First part of 'The Hound of Heaven' by Francis Thompson)





Behold.

I stand at the door

and knock.    
         
 Jesus: Revelation 3:20 

6 comments:

  1. Hi Nancy,
    I could read The Hound of Heaven a million times and never get sick of it. It's in my top three all-time favorites. Beautiful, isn't it?

    Another poem that's in my top three is To the Immaculate Virgin, on a Winter Night by Thomas Merton. Have you read it? I could read that one a million times too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too... I could read this a million times. And now I'm off to get my book of Thomas Merton's poems to find the one you mentioned! (I can't remember it offhand). Thanks!

      Delete
  2. Oh, I love this one too, Nancy. Are we all in the same poet's club? I haven't read the one Mary mentioned, but if it's Merton, it's got to be beautiful.

    Our Dear Jesus, He strives tirelessly for our love...what joy the Saints must give Him, they who love Him so much in return.

    Blessed New Year's Eve, Nancy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Perhaps we ARE all in the same poets' club, we who love words - and who mostly love THE Word, Our Lord Himself. A blessed new year to you, Patricia, and peace to "all who enter here!"

      Delete
  3. Nancy,

    Can I join the poets' club too please?

    Such genius but such a troubled life. It seems very sad. But then again, maybe it is only through the hardships of life that thoughts of such significance emerge.

    I also must look up Thomas Merton's poem.

    God bless!

    ReplyDelete