Peter Menkin, an aspiring poet, lives in Mill Valley, CA USA (north of San Francisco). My blog: http://www.petermenkin.blogspot.com
Embrace of God
by Peter Menkin
Apr 24, 2006
Radiant Light, painting by Camaldoli Benedictine monk Father Arthur
I cannot say that the inspiration for this poem came from Father Arthur's wonderful contemplative painting, "Radiant Light." It does help the poem along, so it is here with this posting. The genesis was a moving experience of religious examination that has led me to believe that the healing quality of a relationship with God is a wonderful, practical thing. I do not mean this to be so much a personal testimony, but an introduction in poetic form to the relationship of divine love, as an expression of the religious experience and life. I think you as reader will find a resonance, that is my hope.
I have tried to add a substatement of theological reflection, and as an aspiring poet who does not want to be too self-absorbed, for contemplation is neither self-absorption nor navel gazing, I add that human love of God in Christ is also an experience that many Church goers share.
The heart yearns,
wishes for warmth, finds opening
to the Lord. A deeper thing
like the blood that courses through the body
this divine love sustains life.
More.
In the secret of the self, within the psyche,
we yearn for knowledge with self recognition
of existence, Christ does feed us.
More.
The beyond
calls; mankind discovers something uniquely
greater than the mysteries that Intrigue senses and thoughts.
Easter reveals to us this greater than,
this renewal of the good, exploding with eternal might
there is love greater everlastinggift unforgettable recognized with prayer.
More.
With a knowledge of expanded eternity beyond
the measure of imagination–the gasp of surrender.
Promise that tells us God
Embraces the spirit of mankind.
Image: Painting by Camaldoli Priest and monk Father
Arthur, “Radiant Light:”
Camaldolese, Benedictine monk Father Arthur Poulin paints contemplative works, as he describes them. These shown here are selected from his many paintings.
Father Arthur lives and works at Incarnation Monastery, Berkeley,
CA USA–study house of Camaldolese monks located near the Graduate Theological Union, and University of California’s North Gate.
This description of his paintings, from I. wolk Gallery in St. Helena, California USA:
Father Poulin’s paintings have been acquired extensively by people here inthe US and abroad. Many of his commissioned works hang in churches here in California.
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