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Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Christian : Catholic

20th Century

About Thomas Merton

Timeline (1915 - 1968)

Thomas Merton, Thomas Merton poetry, Christian, Christian poetry, Catholic poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

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Original Language
English

When in the soul of the serene disciple

Themes

Freedom

Water

Recommended Books

	The Collected Poems of Thomas Merton, by Thomas Merton
	Selected Poems of Thomas Merton, by Thomas Merton
	Thomas Merton Monk & Poet: A Critical Study, by George Woodcock
	A Thomas Merton Reader, by Thomas Merton / Edited by Thomas P. McDonnell

When in the soul of the serene disciple
With no more Fathers to imitate
Poverty is a success,
It is a small thing to say the roof is gone:
He has not even a house.

Stars, as well as friends,
Are angry with the noble ruin.
Saints depart in several directions.

Be still:
There is no longer any need of comment.
It was a lucky wind
That blew away his halo with his cares,
A lucky sea that drowned his reputation.

Here you will find
Neither a proverb nor a memorandum.
There are no ways,
No methods to admire
Where poverty is no achievement.
His God lives in his emptiness like an affliction.

What choice remains?
Well, to be ordinary is not a choice:
It is the usual freedom
Of men without visions.

-- from Selected Poems of Thomas Merton, by Thomas Merton

Amazon.com

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Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

About Thomas Merton

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World