femina
by Chesterton · Cluster: Wonder and Gratitude · Sublime · Storm
Abstract
A short lyric of apocalyptic imagery (black sun, blood moon, thunder) in which a man’s stubborn gratitude for the green grass and the love of birds wins a divine commendation; a poem of wonder, faith and gratitude for creation.
Testo / Text
Connections
Historical References: Bible
Archetypes: Common Man (2)
Topoi: Sublime in Nature
Characters: God
Motifs: Light and Dark, Sun, Moon, Birds, Storm, Grass Leaves of Grass, Blood Themes & Concepts: Wonder and Gratitude, Faith, Humility, Apocalypse, Self and Cosmos, Sublime Forms & Genres: Lyric
Testo integrale / Full text
Femina Contra Mundum
G K Chesterton
The sun was black with judgment, and the moon
Blood: but between
I saw a man stand, saying: ‘To me at least
The grass is green.
‘There was no star that I forgot to fear
With love and wonder.
The birds have loved me’; but no answer came —
Only the thunder.
… … . .
Once more the man stood, saying: ‘A cottage door,
Wherethrough I gazed
That instant as I turned — yea, I am vile;
Yet my eyes blazed.
‘For I had weighed the mountains in a balance,
And the skies in a scale,
I come to sell the stars — old lamps for new —
Old stars for sale.’
Then a calm voice fell all the thunder through,
A tone less rough:
‘Thou hast begun to love one of my works
Almost enough.’