DIS+2

DIS 2

Breanna = Ann Sexton Lizzie = David Whyte Jenn = Mary Oliver Eleanor = Gerard Manley Hopkins

In your role and voice, discuss how the spirit of grace and incarnation gives your poetry a sacramental voice.

EM: Gerard Manley Hopkins: Earlier in my lifetime, I had dreams of being a painter. I wanted to travel the world, embark upon a miraculous journey, and portray what I saw through my brush. Yet as I grew, I began to search for something much more profound, something that guided the nature I hoped to portray, something that guided me--that something was God. I found that I was able to channel my artistic energy into my writing. In doing so, I discovered that God was not only present, but living, all around us. I strove to experience Him and His grace through all that I did, and I yearned to translate this experience to my writing. God's grace surrounds us each day. It is the light that shines through our windows each morning at the break of dawn and beckons us to rise from our slumbers. It is the cup of coffee that truly awakes us from our slumbers. It is in the people we encounter, the emotions we feel, and the tasks we accomplish. While we can encounter His grace through the small things in life, we can also be truly drawn closer to Him through recognizing his profound presence in nature, His powerful yet loving control over the earth, and His beautiful sacramental nature. This presence in both the small and big things of the earth is what propels me to my feet, drives my poetry forward, and urges me to search for God's powerful incarnation day in and day out. I am truly energized by God's presence on the earth. I feel as though my words do not come from strategic thought, but rather, from my emotion and my utter shock at God's splendor each day. I have developed an unwavering respect for God's earth. I strive to be a part of this earth, and I can only hope that my writing and praise of God inspires my readers to do the same.

GG: My oh my, this could easily sound just like GMH! Nice!

JR: Mary Oliver

My interest in becoming a writer sprung from the time when I spent many hours sifting through old poetry left behind in the house where I briefly lived. These old leaves of someone's life made me realize that life is precious and each moment must be savored. I find that the most fruitful poetry comes from a complete submersion into nature where I can connect with God through his beautiful creation. Walking amongst the small creatures in nature reminds me that God's grace fills every one. It is the small instances of joy in our lives that make us aware of God's presence. I like to write poems about where I have lived, what I have seen as a part of nature. This great connection I have with nature makes me upset to see the frivolity of human life and all of the waste that results from it. One of the reasons that nature is so inspirational to me is that it is always born anew each day and God refreshes all of it in a rebirth that is wonderful. His presence surrounds me daily but sometimes, people are far too busy to take a step outside and rejoice, breathing in His grace through sight and smell, realizing that He is with us and He is ever powerful to renew the old and rekindle inspiration. Sometimes I seek to reconnect with God by evaluating my emotions and pouring them out on my scraps of paper. In each feeling I record, I feel God and it brings me everlasting joy. Writing gives me the opportunity to record small glorious moments in which I witness God's grace around me. The gentle sun rays on my outstretched arms at the beginning of a new day is just one of the countless moment's of Hid incarnation in my life. GG: Yes, Mary, I can see the impact of your world made evident (as a sacrament - an outward sign instituted by Christ to give grace, which is unmerited, of course) in your poetry.

BK: Anne Sexton

Depression is a constant black cloud over my head that no matter what I do, I can't shake. I have struggled my entire lifetime with who I am and what my purpose is. After the births of my two daughters, I found myself slipping even farther away from the confusing world around me. Poetry is one thing that brings me the slightest relief. I am able to freely express my thoughts in my work. Writing allows me to vent and put some order to what I am feeling. Often I can only focus on the negative around me and my poetry reflects this outlook on life. Many of my works have dark and morbid tones and themes and lack the grace-filled and divinely inspired feel of many other poets, like Gerard Manley Hopkins. I know the world is beautiful and "charged with God's grandeur," but I am more often than not completely engulfed in my own world that lacks hope. However, I do have my moments, where I am inspired by the world God created around me and I know I must seize the opportunity to be grateful and joyful. While many of my poems seemingly lack this love for the incarnated God around us, I feels as if one's relationship with God will fluctuate and it is okay not to always see Him in everything. He is always present, whether we acknowledge it or not. Even though I do not specifically mention His love and presence in many of my poems, I know that He is listening when I write and is upset when I am. Sometimes I am blessed to see God in everything around me, but I am usually taken over by my depression and my poems reflect this. God may not always be the driving force in my life, but I know I am always important to Him.

GG: Oh, those who battle depression, Anne. I understand. For many, the pen is a way to deal with the black cloud that seems to hover over. I think your poetry is infused with some spirit of God's grace, but I also know you struggle to find it.

LD: David Whyte

The spirit of God in nature has always fascinated me. The simplicity and subtle beauty of the natural world inspires my spirituality and connection with God. My main focus in my poetry is expressing the moment of grace, the moment of the pure faith. In all my treks as a naturalist guide I have discovered the moment, this feeling, in the silence of our world—in the stars, in the true serenity of peace. You can find every aspect of religious life in nature. You can find hope, longing, redemption, love. It is boundless, beneath every plant, every rock I find myself closer to God and closer to myself. GG: (L): True, Mr. Whyte. I imagine if you had more time, you would probably write more in this discussion.