Two Poems of Wonder
This week, I’m sharing two little poems of mine (and I don’t claim to be a poet.) The first is from a recent excursion with my parents to Rhododendron Sate Park, here in New Hampshire. The second was written a few days later. To all poets (official and unofficial) out there: Please share your observations, suggestions, and advice for improvement – thank you!
(Photos taken by my father.)
In the Rhododendron Forest
Embrace me in your beauty, Lord!
As I am sheltered, here,
within the blossoming bower,
let me know your love.
Thick leaves arching overhead,
on wild wood from tangled roots
in forest golden-brown;
white petals glimpsed through latticed-light
above, or fallen whole upon the ground.
Resting here in the quiet,
I wait for you, my Lord
and you do not disappoint…
I see you in the peace and hear you in the joy,
I linger in the loveliness within and all around.
When I’m come through this long and winding
wonder-passage of shade and green,
out into the brightness of the other side,
Embrace me in your beauty, Lord!
Your heaven’s delight of endless awe
surpassing earth’s imagining,
beyond the twigs and moss of time,
beyond
the loveliness I leave behind
that’s yours, O Lord… not mine.
© 2017 Christina Chase
My Life Is
My life is small,
tiny,
a grain of sand,
gritty and glittering;
a drop of dew,
globular weight and wonder,
cool and wet upon the green palm of time,
until…
it slips
from its leafy mooring,
form shattered,
essence absorbed
into the wider deep…
seen no more… but known.
My life is a wonder-passage,
a winged seed in flight,
a caterpillar taking up
the promised glory
bite
by little
bite.
© 2017 Christina Chase
Photo Credits:
Embracing Beauty, © 2017 Dan Chase, All Rights Reserved
Rhododendrons, © 2017 Dan Chase, All Rights Reserved
Into the Woods, © 2017 Dan Chase, All Rights Reserved
Christina Chase View All
Although crippled by disease, I'm fully alive in love. I write about the terrible beauty and sacred wonder of life, while living with physical disability and severe dependency. A revert to the Catholic faith through atheism, I'm not afraid to ask life's big questions. I explore what it means to be fully human through my weekly blog and have written a book: It's Good to Be Here, published by Sophia Institute Press.
Christina Chase 
Hello Christina,
There are so many resonances in the second poem, Blake, Hopkins, Mary Webb; then you finish with the very hungry caterpillar! Superb; it works! I really like that ending and your hunger for life, come what may. What may come is that I would find a second home for this in Agnellus blog, if you can bear to let it go – all acknowledgements would be given, of course. Will.
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Yes, of course you may “home” this poem in Agnellus Mirror, if you believe it belongs! Hopefully it’s not inappropriate to say this, but, I like the ending, too. 🙂 Although the second to last line “by little” is supposed to be indented. I thought I fixed that, but I see it didn’t change. The dewdrop gave me the most difficulty, because there was so much more I could have said about a drop of dew. For another poem, God willing!
Your approval of this little poem means a lot. Thank you for continuing to reflect with me!
Pax Christi
Christina
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Inspired and inspiring! No suggestions needed, and no advice. What’s needed on that these be read again, and again, and
Well, that’s what I need, so that’s what I’ll do. Keep writing, Christina! I feel blessed to be here to read, and pray, together.
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Thank you, Albert! I’m quite sure that the poems are far from perfect – but what is perfect, anyway, except God? It is my privilege and joy to reflect Him in any little way that I can, as imperfect as my reflections may be. All praise to God.
Feeling blessed to be here with you as well,
Pax Christi
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Christina,
If you “don’t claim to be a poet”, none of us can!
But you clearly have the soul of a poet and are skilled in expression. I especially love the second poem – your imagery is magnificent and it flows naturally. I want to keep rereading it just to experience the delightful ending again. 🙂
The first poem seems more of a prayer so perhaps I approach reading it a bit differently. But I felt like I was there in the woods with you, feeling sheltered, resting in the quiet…yes. Praise Him.
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EL MAGNIFICO WORDS CHRISTINA, LOVE THE PHOTOGRAPHS, CHINA
china.alexandria@livingthedream.blog
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Thank you for reflecting with me!
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