Septmber 2: A Quick Poem, Gerard Manley Hopkins, "Heaven-Haven"

OK, it's late, and I have a very long day tomorrow.  Work.  Teaching.  I'm going to be going from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.  I need to get to bed.

I have a short poem from Gerard Manley Hopkins tonight.  An early poem, too.  Yet, I think it contains the kernel of everything that makes Hopkins great.  Spirituality.  Linguistic surprise.  And a great deal of beauty.

Saint Marty is tired.  Still a little sick.  Ready for this day to be over.

Heaven-Haven

by:  Gerard Manley Hopkins

A nun takes the veil

     I have desired to go
          Where springs not fail,
To fields where flies no sharp and sided hail
     And a few lilies blow.

     And I have asked to be
          Where no storms come,
Where the green swell is in the havens dumb,
     And out of the swing of the sea.

The swing of the sea...