1 0 The Catholic News & Herald Book Review
Poetry for the Reviewed by Elizabeth Rackover Catholic News Service John O’Donohue’s “Conamara Blues” had me right out of the box with a simply structured poem in which dead twigs, gathered by a crow, taken back to the “vacancy” of the parent tree, become a nest to fill with dreams. That is poetry — to be able to take common images from nature’s wintry bracken, seen through anybody’s window on any given January day, and make them suddenly magical, even hopeful. O’Donohue’s cadences and rhythms are smooth and confident. The reader doesn’t have to work at the images; on the contrary, they must almost be fought off, forced to recede so that the next lines can be absorbed. It is delightful to encounter a poet whose work lands somewhere between Hopkins (less manic) and Yeats (slightly laid back). Fiercely proud of the Irish landscape, not to say state of mind, the writer gives us outlines not just of topography but of the soul itself. Is it fair to say it’s a given that the works of nature in and of themselves glorify God? They do, in O’Donohue’s poems, but with a certain wildness that feels as scary as God himself might be if you met him on the moor around sundown. And hey! How does this guy manage to get inside Mary’s head in his poems “The Annunciation” and “The Visitation”? In both I felt the revelation of the human self meeting and mingling with the divine. Chief among many notable lines: “She awakens a stranger in her own life” and “An anxious moon doubles her among the stone.” In the poem “The Nativity,” the last two lines both glorify and humanize the moment for mother and child, and the spiritual inten-
March 22, 2002
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sity is conveyed through achingly simple words. It is deftly and beautifully done, and I wonder who he talked to, where he got his information, to strike such female chords with such thrilling accuracy. “Conamara Blues” is just the right size for traveling — slim and sturdy. It is poetry that first makes you feel, then think — it is food and drink for the hungry, traveling soul. Less inspiring is Franciscan Father Murray Bodo’s “Denise Levertov” volume from the Pauline Books’ “Poetry as Prayer” series. This book begs some knowledge of — passion for, if you want the truth — Levertov’s poetry as a body of work. It is some way into the book before the reader encounters snippets of poetry. We are then told where Levertov was when she wrote the poem in question — physically, emotionally, and spiritually, of course. I found myself wanting less information about Levertov from a third person, and more information from the writer herself, since that is the unique property of poetry — the transubstantiation of the writer’s heart and soul into language, then into a sometimes tangible experience for the reader. Having said all that, I reiterate that this is a warm and loving reflection and dissertation about Levertov. Father Bodo first admired, then became acquainted with his subject through poetry. But ultimately this book fails to charm because the bottom line for any poet is the work itself; telling me about the inspiration and leaving out the poetry is like giving me a comprehensive run-down of the kitchen utensils without feeding me any dinner.
Word to Life
Sunday Scripture Readings: March 24, 2002 Cycle A Readings: March 24, Palm Sunday 1) Matthew 21:1-11 2) Isaiah 50:4-7 Psalm 22:8-9, 19-20, 23-24 3) Phillipians 2:6-11 4) Gospel: Matthew 26:14-27:66
By BOZENA CLOUTIER Catholic News Service We were stationed in Hawaii when our 7-month-old daughter, Marie, developed an eye infection. The base pediatrician told us to take her to the hospital to consult with specialists. Once there, a team of doctors examined Marie. Some were for keeping her overnight, but the final decision was that we could take her home providing we brought her in the first thing the next morning or if there was any change in her condition. Next morning, just as we were leaving for the hospital, the pediatrician called asking about Marie. On hearing that she was not in the hospital he became uncharacteristically angry and literally ordered us to take her there right away. Again the team of doctors saw her and to our joy pronounced that she was significantly better. Trying to understand our pediatrician’s anger, I asked if Marie’s infection had been serious. Yes, they replied, it had been serious. My mind raced to the worst scenario. Could it have caused blindness in the eye? No, probably not, but it was very close to the brain and could
have been fatal. “She could have died.” “Could have died” — the words were comprehensible, but unbelievable. Wordlessly, numbly, we took Marie home. There we wept and gave thanks. Days such as these are so momentous and our emotional response so deep and complex that they leave us wordless and spent. Those days change us. I thought of that day as I looked over the readings for Palm Sunday. I experienced a multitude of feelings and found myself secretly wishing that somehow those familiar passages would be different. This year I did not want the readings to end with death and desolation. I wanted Jesus to be honored, for the crowd to take his side, for him to be recognized for who he was and spared the cruelty of torture and slow death. Perhaps more honestly I wanted to be spared the pain, helplessness and sorrow I feel as we listen to those Passion readings. But the readings stand as they are, and so does the reality that our (my!) salvation was obtained at such a high price. I can only accept, grieve and weep. I can resolve to change. And ultimately I must give thanks for such love and such a Savior. QUESTIONS: Examine your own reactions to these passion readings. What disturbs you? What pains you? What challenges you?
Weekly Scripture Scripture for the week of March 24 - March 30 Sunday (Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion), Matthew 21:1-11, Isaiah 50:4-7, Philippians 2:6-11, Matthew 26:14—27:66; Monday (Monday of Holy Week), Isaiah 42:1-7, John 12:1-11; Tuesday (Tuesday of Holy Week), Isaiah 49:1-6, John 13:21-33, 36-38; Wednesday (Wednesday of Holy Week), Isaiah 50:5-9, Matthew 26:14-25; Thursday (Holy Thursday), Exodus 12:1-8, 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-15; Friday (Good Friday), Isaiah 52:13—53:12, Hebrews 4:14-16; 5:7-9, John 18:1—19:42; Saturday (Holy Saturday), Exodus 14:15—15:1, Romans 6:3-11, Luke 24:1-12 Scripture for the week of March 31 - April 6 Sunday (Easter Sunday), Acts 10:34, 37-43, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, John 20:1-9; Monday (Easter Monday), Acts 2:14, 22-33, Matthew 28:8-15; Tuesday (Easter Tuesday), Acts 2:36-41, John 20:11-18; Wednesday (Easter Wednesday), Acts 3:1-10, Luke 24:13-35; Thursday (Easter Thursday), Acts 3:11-26, Luke 24:35-48; Friday (Easter Friday), Acts 4:1-12, John 21:1-14; Saturday (Easter