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When in the soul of the serene disciple

Thomas Merton, Thomas Merton poetry, Christian, Christian poetry, Catholic poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry,  poetry by Thomas Merton
(1915 - 1968) Timeline

Original Language
English

Christian : Catholic
20th Century

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

 

Themes

  Freedom
  Water
  Womb
 
 


Recommended Books


The Collected Poems of Thomas Merton, by Thomas Merton
Selected Poems of Thomas Merton, by Thomas Merton
The Strange Islands: Poems by 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

 

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Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2009 by Ivan M. Granger.
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