Tag Archives: George Herbert

The God of Love My Shepherd Is

By Robin Bates | Published: April 26, 2015

George Herbert rewrites the 23rd psalm in subtle ways, turning the Lord in the “God of Love” and filling the cup with the eucharist.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , | Comments closed

A Divine Stairway of Sharp Angles

By Robin Bates | Published: July 20, 2014

Levertov uses to story of Jacob’s Ladder to describe the miracle of poetry.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments closed

Broken in Pieces All Asunder

By Robin Bates | Published: July 13, 2014

Flannery O’Connor, like George Herbert, found her Christian faith regularly challenged by deep despair.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , | Comments closed

Here Is No Water but Only Rock

By Robin Bates | Published: April 18, 2014

Dry rocks have functioned as images of spiritual desolation throughout the history of Good Friday poetry.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , , , , | Comments closed

Becoming Intimate with God

By Robin Bates | Published: October 7, 2012

As George Herbert and Fiona Sampson make clear, partaking in the eucharist feat is our way of becoming intimate with God.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , , , | Comments closed

The Cleanness of Sweet Abstinence

By Robin Bates | Published: February 26, 2012

Herbert paradoxically describes Lent as a “dear Feast” in which we can revel.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , | Comments closed

Come, My Light, My Feast, My Strength

By Robin Bates | Published: October 23, 2011

In “The Call,” George Herbert opens himself to God’s love with a confidence not found in many of his poems.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , | Comments closed

When God’s Call Feels Like a Burden

By Robin Bates | Published: July 3, 2011

“Collar” works as a triple pun—a clerical collar, a prisoner’s collar, and “choler.” Why, for all that I have done, am I only harvesting a thorn, George Herbert cries out in the poem by that name. Why am I still standing in suit to God when I could simply turn my back on it all?

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , | Comments closed

When God Doesn’t Seem to Be Listening

By Robin Bates | Published: June 26, 2011

George Herbert’s frustrations at not communicating with God are understandable because the words we use to pray will always feel inadequate. Rather than this being bad, however, we should learn to be humble. It is good that we feel wounded by our words because it is in our brokenness where we most feel God’s presence.

Posted in Uncategorized | Also tagged , , | Comments closed