Phantastes – a brief review
After reading George MacDonald’s “Phantastes” it is clear to me why CS Lewis chose MacDonald to be his Virgil in “The Great Divorce.” “Phantastes” is truly one of the most remarkable works I have ever read. Overflowing with rich imagery and lyrical finely measured prose (along with some superb longer sections of poetry) MacDonald’s book is magnificent in scope and execution. One feels completely absorbed by Anodos’ character and his story. Much like Anodos felt himself to be the central character in the Fairie stories he read in the Fairie Palace so I felt as if I was the central character in “Phantastes;” it wasn’t simply Anodos’ journey, it was mine. “Phantastes” is poignant and...
A Hymn
- GK Chesterton, The Collected Poems of GK Chesterton (136).
The Bard
Leptodactylous I am,No doubt it’s true. Sitting here,Strumming softly:Listen and imbue Notes glimmering cheerEchoing gently. Intricately renewEscaping cold meer,Riding the wind, romantically. del.icio.us : Poetry
Seasons
These are the summer days, Clouds running with my mind (both sailing on the wind): I’m reclining ‘gainst a tree Dreaming up one-act plays These are the fall days, Watching the leaves fall Bearing my aspirations– The colors come and fade To a crunchy pervasive brown glaze These are the winter days, Huddled by the fire with my muse, It’s cold here; If I were an evergreen I’d have something more to say These are the spring days, Waking up one more time, And this is forever– Watching the sun Burn away the haze del.icio.us : Poetry
Ode to an Antihero
It’s not that you’reCaught between virtue and viceIt’s that you lie stillScratch a little, as if looking for lice.Have I mentioned how beautiful you are,Your eyes reflecting in the moon?You’re like a stillborn butterflyStuck and dying in its cocoon.H is for Harmartia,Is it fate-driven or choice?The only tragedy hereIs your refusal to have a voice.You’re a toothless lionWithout a prideBut it’s too hot to hunt today,So just be still and lie on your side. del.icio.us : Poetry
Love’s As Warm As Tears
Love’s as warm as tears, Love is tears:Pressure within the brain,Tension at the throat,Deluge, weeks of rain,Haystacks afloat,Featureless seas betweenHedges, where once was green. Love’s as fierce as fire, Love is fire:All sorts–infernal heatClinkered with greed and pride,Lyric desire, sharp-sweet,Laughing, even when denied,And that empyreal flameWhence all loves came. Love’s as fresh as spring, Love is spring:Bird-song hung in the air,Cool smells in a wood,Whispering “Dare! Dare!”To sap, to blood,Telling “Ease, safety, rest,Are good; not best.” Love’s as hard as nails, Love is nails:Blunt, thick, hammered throughThe medial nerves of OneWho, having made us, knewThe...