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RE: A Powerful Poem I Often Return to for Inspiration
I don't think there's a poem in the English language that couldn't be improved by a reading from Richard Burton - he's practically an institution in British poetry! This is no exception.
I think the power in this piece comes from how it invokes, shamelessly, the passion and determination of religious teaching. It's no quiet contemplation, no dry sermon, but an evocation of that intense, innate connection of humans with the infinite. Sunday school would have been a lot more interesting, haha.
I am awed by its fervour, even if its specific message, ultimately, falls on deaf ears ;)
Interesting response, Lazarus.
To be frank, for all his beautiful phrasing and dramatic rendering, I find Burton slightly strident.
I hear this poem, in my head, as more pleading, broken and humble. A Divine love letter 💌
Fair enough, Burton does layer it on pretty thick, although I think a lot of poets from this period especially were quite consciously affecting the same way through their writings... I don't think he'd get away with it when reading Plath - perhaps all English poetry was a bit of a stretch ;)
But its the 'Hound' of heaven! Power incarnate, surely. Although I suspect we're coming at it from quite different angles, I might have to read it again...
Yes, I see what you mean... But, I maintain that booming Burton is better suited for the Hound of Heaven parts, not the contrite protagonist who is narrating the poem and living miserably with their god-shaped hole.
It's a believer's poem, to be sure -- more specifically, a convert's -- and when one has been through hell and back, they tend to sound less proud, more tender and sweetly defeated (I think).