I’m noticing a curious thing as this project continues to develop: the double creative constraint of creating a rendition of a psalm that pairs with a new poem has been good for my creative energy. This has been so true that I’m finding that even more constraints seem to equal more energy. When I have hit a roadblock, the way out seems to be “add another creative constraint” and suddenly the problem unlocks and more words flow.
What a gift this is! Your poem was so moving. I know I mentioned R.S. Thomas in my last comment, but you have a way of capturing the tension of faith in the way he did. This poem made me think of his line ‘its absence was as it’s presence’ and also ‘the meaning is in the waiting’ - you capture so perfectly the contradiction (and subsequent beauty and freedom of the contradictions) of faith as lived out in Francis’s life.
I’m rubbish at titles, but ‘Burn Here’ seemed to stand out at me with fire and flame and heat as a redeeming presence throughout the poem, both physically and metaphorically in how you talk about Francis ‘igniting’ a revival.
this is so different than anything else I've read of yours so far in a good way
the title is already picked, and I think you chose a good one.
What a gift this is! Your poem was so moving. I know I mentioned R.S. Thomas in my last comment, but you have a way of capturing the tension of faith in the way he did. This poem made me think of his line ‘its absence was as it’s presence’ and also ‘the meaning is in the waiting’ - you capture so perfectly the contradiction (and subsequent beauty and freedom of the contradictions) of faith as lived out in Francis’s life.
I’m rubbish at titles, but ‘Burn Here’ seemed to stand out at me with fire and flame and heat as a redeeming presence throughout the poem, both physically and metaphorically in how you talk about Francis ‘igniting’ a revival.