Project Writings
A collection of occasional writings from The Power of the Word Project.
The Big Ask: A Reflection on Denise Levertov’s ‘Annunciation’
We know the scene: the room, variously furnished,
almost always a lectern, a book; always
the tall lily.
. Arrived on solemn grandeur of great wings,
the angelic ambassador, standing or hovering,
whom she acknowledges, a guest.
But we are told of meek obedience. No one mentions
courage.
. The engendering Spirit
did not enter her without consent.
. God waited.
She was free
to accept or to refuse, choice
integral to humanness.
Gerard Manley Hopkins' ‘The Windhover: to Christ our Lord’: A Meditation for Easter
I caught this morning morning’s minion, king-
. dom of daylight’s dauphin dapple-dáwn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
. Of the rólling level undernéath him steady áir, and striding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
. As a skate's heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
. Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird, – the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!