From Malcolm Guite: A Sonnet for George Herbert

New post on Malcolm Guite

A Sonnet for George Herbert by malcolmguite Gentle exemplar, help us in our trials On February 27th the Church of England keeps the feast and celebrates the memory of George Herbert, the gentle poet priest whose book the Temple, published posthumously in 1633 by his friend Nicholas Ferrar has done so much to help and inspire Christians ever since. In an earlier blog post I gave a talk on George Herbert and the Insights of Prayer, today, on the eve of his Feast Day, I offer this sonnet, part of a sequence called 'Clouds of Witness" in my poetry book The Singing Bowl. The sequence is a celebration of the saints, intended to complement my sequence Sounding the Seasons. You can get this book in the UK by ordering it from your local bookshop, or via Amazon, and I am very happy to say that both books are now available in North America from Steve Bell who has a good supply in stock. His page for my books is HERE As always you can hear me read the sonnet by clicking on the title or the 'play' button. 1234166-george-herbert.mp3 George Herbert Gentle exemplar, help us in our trials, With all that passed between you and your Lord, That intimate exchange of frowns and smiles Which chronicled your love-match with the Word. Your manuscript, entrusted to a friend, Has been entrusted now to every soul, We make a new beginning in your end And find your broken heart has made us whole. Time has transplanted you, and you take root, Past changing in the paradise of Love, Help me to trace your temple, tune your lute, And listen for an echo from above, Open the window, let me hear you sing, And see the Word with you in everything. malcolmguite | February 26, 2018 at 9:56 am | Tags: canterbury press, christianity, George Herbert, literature, Sonnets, Steve Bell | Categories: christianity, politics | URL: https://wp.me/pj0Sl-1iy