Poet Marjorie Pickthall tells the story of the Cana wedding from the point of view of the bridegroom. Jesus’s attendance changes everything.
Tag Archives: Weddings
Love Attends the Cana Wedding
On Lawrence and a Sexual Awakening
In my latest life in literature installment, I look at the impact of D.H. Lawrence on my college relationship with my future wife.
Poetry and Our June 8, 1973 Wedding
I share the wedding ceremony that Julia and I went through 50 years ago.
The Wine of Love Is Music
Spiritual Sunday I attended a joyous Des Moines wedding yesterday, one where the bride, an avid runner, wore running shoes. The groom is a runner as well. Things promise well. Here’s a lovely wedding poem by the 18th century poet James Thomson, author of The Seasons and “Rule, Britannia.” I send it out to all […]
The Roots of a Beautiful Marriage
Spiritual Sunday Every time I visit Slovenia (six times now, the first two for year-long Fulbrights), I learn something new. In my most recent visit, I discovered it is common for couples to live together for years before getting married (if they ever do). While I can’t speak to overall statistics, I talked with several […]
Shakespeare for a Midsummer Wedding
A couple of years ago a former student opted for a “Midsummer Night’s Dream”-themed wedding. For many reasons, it was a perfect choice.
Toasting with the Wine of Cana
Richard Wilbur cites the wedding of Cana in his own wedding toast.
Jane Austen & My Son’s Secret Wedding
A secret marriage entered into by my son Toby could have been taken straight out of Jane Austen’s “Emma.”
The Thread between Mother and Daughter
The mother in Janice Mirikitani’s poem feels joined to her daughter by the red thread she uses to sew her wedding slippers.

