Category Archives: Poetry

Third Sunday After Easter – by John Keble

Posted on 20 April 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Third Sunday After Easter
John Keble (a leading figure in the Oxford Movement, but who did not swim the Tiber)
[A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come; but as soon as she is delivered of … Continue reading →

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Ash Wednesday by T.S. Eliot

Posted on 13 February 2013 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Have you ever read or studied T.S Eliot’s poem Ash Wednesday?
You should have, you know.
Let us not let Ash Wednesday pass without at least touching on the poem.
If you have never read or heard it, at least you can hear … Continue reading →

T.S. Eliot - Ash Wednesdat [ 14:21 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1873)
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Goose

Posted on 19 September 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Via the Laudator:
Robert Southey (1774-1843), To a Goose:
If thou didst feed on western plains of yore;
Or waddle wide with flat and flabby feet
Over some Cambrian mountain’s plashy moor;
Or find in farmer’s yard a safe retreat
From gipsy thieves, and foxes sly … Continue reading →

Posted in Just Too Cool, Lighter fare, Poetry, What Fr. Z is up to | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

“I collect books just as others store grain….”

Posted on 17 August 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

From the Laudator comes something with which I can sympathize:
Yuan Mei (1716–1797), Book Storage, tr. J.D.Schmidt:
I collect books just as others store grain,
And bitterly complain I don’t have enough granaries.
In order to make space for a myriad ancient men,
I end … Continue reading →

Posted in "How To..." - Practical Notes, Just Too Cool, Poetry | Tagged , , , | 27 Comments

“From office confinement all year long,…”

Posted on 29 June 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

With a biretta tip to the Laudator:
Wei Yingwu (737–792), East of the Town, tr. Witter Bynner:
From office confinement all year long,
I have come out of town to be free this morning
Where willows harmonize the wind
And green hills lighten the cares … Continue reading →

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PODCAzT 129: Of the solstice, and The Baptist, and summer poems

Posted on 20 June 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Here is a little PODCAzT after a long hiatus. Today, the Summer Solstice, I talk about the Summer Solstice, but in light of St. Augustine and St. John the Baptist. I mentioned this in another post, but I spin it … Continue reading →

PODCAzT 129: Of the solstice, and The Baptist, and summer poems Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (1471)
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Vespers, with a twist

Posted on 29 March 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Via the estimable Laudator comes this nice Chinese poem, which touches on themes of fishing, quiet, moonlight, common to many of the verses of the Tang dynasty scholars.
Wang Wei (699-759), To Subprefect Chang (tr. Irving Y. Lo):
In late years, I love … Continue reading →

12_03_29 Vespers Thursday Passion Week (BrevRom) [ 9:56 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (155)
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PODCAzT 127: The Eve of St Agnes and a Bleak Midwinter

Posted on 20 January 2012 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

A priest friend reminded me that today is the day before St. Agnes Day, “The Eve of St Agnes” and that, therefore, this would be a good day to post about the famous poem by John Keats.
And so I did!
I … Continue reading →

PODCAzT 127: The Eve of St Agnes and a Bleak Midwinter [ 37:51 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2303)
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Shine, Perishing Republic

Posted on 23 July 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Shine, Perishing Republic by Robinson Jeffers (+1962)
While this America settles in the mould of its vulgarity, heavily thickening
to empire,
And protest, only a bubble in the molten mass, pops and sighs out, and the
mass hardens,
I sadly … Continue reading →

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Spring poems

Posted on 1 April 2011 by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

It is April and the world is slowly coming back to life.  Baseball season is back.
I have made some PODCAzTs with seasonal poetry.  I am contemplating one for Spring.
If you have a suggestion, perhaps you could drop me a line.  … Continue reading →

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