Poems & Peace

So. I did not really read this month. I’ve been in a bit of a slump. And, as I’ve been traveling almost every weekend this month, I didn’t even write down any of the books I did read, so April is really kind of a blur.

I know I read a YA novel called The Big Crunch because the author, Pete Hautman, was coming to the Children’s Book Festival. I also re-read Because of Winn-Dixie because I could. not. wait. to see Kate DiCamillo and just wanted to be reminded of how awesome she is and how awesome her books are. Also in prep for the festival I read a tall stack of picture books by Andrea Davis Pinkney, plus her free-verse work The Red Pencil. And since I enjoyed The Crossover so much, I read Kwame Alexander’s Booked on the plane to Mississippi.

It’s rather fitting, actually, that I read those books in free verse, since April is National Poetry Month. I revisited some T.S. Eliot, too, reading and re-reading “The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock,” and going back to some of my favorite passages in The Four Quartets. And twice this month Timehop reminded me of how much I absolutely adore George Herbert.

So, on this last day of National Poetry Month, I’ll leave you with a little poem of his (Love III) that I especially enjoy:

Love bade me welcome. Yet my soul drew back

                              Guilty of dust and sin.

But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack

                             From my first entrance in,

Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning,

                             If I lacked any thing.

A guest, I answered, worthy to be here:

                             Love said, You shall be he.

I the unkind, ungrateful? Ah my dear,

                             I cannot look on thee.

Love took my hand, and smiling did reply,

                             Who made the eyes but I?

Truth Lord, but I have marred them: let my shame

                             Go where it doth deserve.

And know you not, says Love, who bore the blame?

                             My dear, then I will serve.

You must sit down, says Love, and taste my meat:

                             So I did sit and eat.

I don’t know if this is everything I read this month, or what all I did, said, and thought. But April was abundant in other ways: from celebrating my sister’s birthday at the beginning of the month, to three glorious days at USM for the Children’s Book Fest eating and talking and listening and learning and so. much. laughing. through Easter all the way to a whirlwind 48 hour trip back to The Abbey filled to the brim with friendship and overflowing with joy.

My guilty soul saw the end of Lent and experienced a Love that is beautiful, ridiculous, and holy. Love that gives Life, Joy, and Peace. I joined many friends around many tables this month, in different places and for different reasons, but at each and every one we feasted in the glorious, wondrous, mystery of Love.