Image: Jacqueline Durban |
Today's offering is another favourite, a poem of waiting from Seamus Heaney; an excerpt from his much longer poem, 'The Cure at Troy'.
The word 'advent' is from the Latin, 'adventus' & the Greek, 'paraousia', meaning 'coming'. This is a time of preparation & expectant waiting for what's coming, for something new and better to be born. Seamus Heaney's words provide the perfect meditation for this time. And quite appropriate as we await the General Election too!
History says, Don't hope
On this side of the grave...
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.
So, hope for a great sea-change
On the far side of revenge.
Believe that a further shore
Is reachable from here.
Believe in miracles
And cures and healing wells.
(Seamus Heaney)
Register to vote (by 26th November) at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
References:
On Seamus Heaney
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seamus_Heaney
On 'The Cure at Troy'
Buy it at Waterstone's
https://www.topangaauthorsgroup.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/junes-poem-pick-from-the-cure-at-troy-by-seamus-heaney
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cure_at_Troy
We comment for you to read primarily so be reassured and rest easy! I've never read this poem. It's absolutely amazing - 'and hope and history rhyme' - just about the best line ever... Thanks a bundle for this series.
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