This Poem was Submitted By: Claire H. Currier On Date: 2003-09-20 17:34:16 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!To Listen to Music While Reading this Poem, just Click Here!
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God is in His Glory Follow the sound
Come early morning light
You will find yourself going
Off to the West
Stop for awhile
Take it all in
The breath of life you feel
Will consume your soul
Lean back, relax, enjoy
As you sit in the meadow
Watch as God's little friends
Arrive one after the other
The birds fly in resting
Upon the branches
Oh my.... God needs a baritone
Mr. Moose is joining us today
Followed close behind by
Joe the coyote and
Up from the lake comes Henrietta
Followed by her twelve ducklings
Now as the sun rises in the East
Angels descend to the West
Bringing forth the harmony we hear
And each little voice
Joins the chorus
Singing Praise and Glory to God
As the story is told
Whether early morning light
Or evening dusk
As the angels begin to play
The Lord smiles down upon those gathered
Here in the woods of Tully
On this exceptionally fine day
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Copyright © September 2003 Claire H. Currier
Additional Notes:
With much love and thank you's to Joanne for her encouragement and points of view.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas H. Smihula On Date: 2003-10-07 10:08:58
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.40000
Claire I see a beautifully written poem here.
To appreciate that which has been given us by the Father
as the dawn approaches and the full light is given us.
The animal appearing almost give me a sense of the animals
coming away from the Ark to start new life within this
particular day. I like the structure you have chosen the
words used, and the flow. You have given me a picture of
angels that I have not been aware of before and that makes
this reader contemplate more on your message.
Well done. For a change I get to say and "God Bless". Tom
This Poem was Critiqued By: Jennifer j Hill On Date: 2003-10-02 15:54:43
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.15385
What a soul replenishing piece , Claire!
I'm so glad this one came up on my list, because I haven't been very attentive this month.
I might have missed it and that would be a shame since it is lovely.
The Glory of God is probably the greatest subject to write about I can think of.
It creates very visual pieces like this one. And this has an added auditory quality that
is heavenly in the most literal sense.
You do a great job of putting the reader there!
"The breath of life you feel
Will consume your soul"------------so true
"Now as the sun rises in the East
Angels descend to the West
Bringing forth the harmony we hear
And each little voice
Joins the chorus
Singing Praise and Glory to God"------------I can hear them! I love this part!
"As the story is told
Whether early morning light
Or evening dusk
As the angels begin to play
The Lord smiles down upon those gathered
Here in the woods of Tully
On this exceptionally fine day"-----------Great climax and nice ending!
Superbly done.
This is one I have copied off so Ican expeience it as often as I can't get out for the real thing.
Thanks for sharing.
Blessings,
Jennifer
This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne Duval Morgan On Date: 2003-09-24 18:15:36
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.83333
Oh, how true Claire. You see I've my own personal Angel sitting on my right shoulder these past 64 years, and I've realized, and have for ever so long, all of Gods creatures from the most minute to the largest is exactly Gods Angels. I love this ledgend, and how you present it, even introducing Mr. Moose, for isn't what the beauty in creation is, from the rising, to the settle sun, and the belief in the creator. You worded this ledgend to touch the soul, most ready like a tale, but you interwove a wonderful semclence of prayer, and belief, for it's when we don't believe with our whole heart we struggle so badly, the peace is stripped for the soul. A wonderfully told tale to me Claire, but then I understand there are those that totally believe, and put their trust and faith in He that created us, each living animal, each sunset, each sun rise, and resting quietly and putting you faith in, is the salvalion. I like it, ordinarilly I don't usually comment on poems like this, but this is adorable, and very heart warming, and I know it came from your heart...Amen. I know it's my Angels and creator that said, not yet Joanne, not yet, there is more for you to do.
Best regards always, God Bless, and keep writing, Jo Morgan
This Poem was Critiqued By: Debbie Spicer On Date: 2003-09-21 18:45:24
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 1.00000
Dear Claire,
A poem is many times a gift and this one is for me. In my weakened state, I find the glowing miracle in your poetry. God has become closer and closer to me in my walk of healing and what would I have done without you, and those to encourage me to hold His hand.
He wakes us and we need to stop….LISTEN…to the glory of His world and all His works. You wrote this first stanza to get our attention, to stop of us just roaming on, to help set up the stage.
Then you go on to tell us to “take it easy, stop in the moment, and listen, smell, breathe…” oh what more could we ask for each day as we rise. We forget so easily and run amuck in our ways, and forget to take in the glory of the moment. That one huge cleansing breathe can take our day to one of fury or one of peace. And even if fury should come our way, we have peace through it because we took the time to look unto Him, to guide our way.
In the next stanza, you don’t actually have to be in a “meadow” to be in a Meadow, for we can be in the meadow of God’s mind. The birds fly in, singing songs of joy, the deer, the moose, the rabbits, and chip monks, the butterflies, and on and on. I can see it clearly, if we would only sit back and allow it to sink in before we start our busy days. Oh, it feels so good! I wonder why we take these things for granted? Do we love to torture ourselves? Ha! I loved the way you portrayed the entire story with all the animals you used in this beautiful story.
Then you come from the East, where the sun does rise! The shimmer and glimmer we can view, if only we take that moment to stop and look. The stanza
“Now as the sun rises in the East
Angels descend to the West
Bringing forth the harmony we hear
And each little voice
Joins the chorus
Singing Praise and Glory to God”
Is a treasure in of itself! To speak these words of joy brings me to know that you know the true God, the one that we know and He surpasses all understanding.
This little story is really a huge reality of what God wants for us, the angels are here for us, and it makes me stop and listen, look, and breathe. What a wonderful poem you have here. Treasure it, as I certainly do. Wonderful!
With much love,
Debbie
This Poem was Critiqued By: Andrea M. Taylor On Date: 2003-09-21 15:01:20
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.14286
Claire,
I feel no need to critique this as I am just so pleased to see your voice in print once again. I picture you taking a break from your busy day, sitting on your newly worked on porch and thanking God for the sunrise and suneet view of His beautiful gifts. I feel that this peaceful beauty renews your strength. This to me, as a friend, brings joy to your words for me. Kindly just, give me a one, as the read was more beneficial to me than you.
God bless,
Andrea
This Poem was Critiqued By: Duane J Jackson On Date: 2003-09-21 06:25:21
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.50000
Hi Claire!
This was a beautifuly written piece, right up there, with the likes of Red Apple Farm.
This spiritually charged poem, encapsulates Nature as a representation of God's magnificence.
The poem moves from the first light of day to the onset of evening, giving praise to God's artistry, which tends to have a soothing and relaxing effect on the mind of the poet.
Their is perhaps no greater means of proclaiming the glory of God than through the power of song and the poet, with a dash of humor, musters up a choir of animals comprising the birds, a moose, a coyote and a duck, each with their distinctive names. This also symbolises the impact of God's all - controlling power. Yes, even the creatures bow before him.
The poem ends with the fall of dusk and the play of angels. The Lord is pleased with his believers and smiles down upon the faithful gathering.
The poem had a very good flow and the imagery was effective in creating for the reader, a glimpse into this 'exceptionally fine day' even as 'God is in His Glory'.
Good job and thanks for this spiritually motivating piece. I wouldn't have a suggestion for this as it is best left the way it is. Again, this was well written.
Duane.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Joanne M Uppendahl On Date: 2003-09-20 18:46:40
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.90909
Dear Claire:
Thank you - it is truly my pleasure!
"Tully" is an example of a place which is rich in beauty and celebration of life.
I think one could place one's own dwelling place within an imaginary "Tully"
and find such beauty in it, as well. The reader well may substitute his or her
own 'beauty spot' in place of the surrounds within this poem, and see and hear
vividly within all that makes the heart sing with gratitude.
Follow the sound
Come early morning light
You will find yourself going
Off to the West
I puzzled a moment as I read the last line above, wondering 'why' one would
go "off to the west" but the answer is given in the next-to-last stanza, in
which we read that as the sun rises "in the East" . . ."Angels descend to
the West." I think you reflect the circular of creation within this
poem, as we can observe a cyclical movement in daylight and darkness,
ebb and tide, summer and winter, for example.
Stop for awhile
Take it all in
The breath of life you feel
Will consume your soul
I love the suggestion of slowing life's often hectic pace to become more aware
of the gifts given - especially "the breath of life" given by the Creator to
all. It is an exquisite idea to feel the ecstasy of one's soul being consumed
by this "breath of life" which serves as a reminder of our connectedness to
all life.
Lean back, relax, enjoy
As you sit in the meadow
Watch as God's little friends
Arrive one after the other
The birds fly in (,) resting
Upon the branches
Here my expectations raised, for this is a way in which this reader finds much
consolation and inspiration. Observing the birds, plants, animals, changes
of season -- the colors of foliage all lead one back to the sense that one
is part of a greater whole, and thus connected to God. (The One, called by
many names.) The idea of the birds "resting/Upon the branches" is very
soothing and calls us to rest as well.
Oh my.... God needs a baritone
Mr. Moose is joining us today
Followed close behind by
Joe the coyote and
Up from the lake comes Henrietta
Followed by her twelve ducklings
A bit of whimsy and humor enlivens this piece. I thought it an interesting coincidence
that "Henrietta" had twelve ducklings, like the twelve months of the year, which follow,
one after another.
The auditory images of moosecall and coyote howl gave me shivers. I've mostly heard
coyotes howl in groups - and it is a goosebump-raising chorus!
Now as the sun rises in the East
Angels descend to the West
Bringing forth the harmony we hear ---lovely!
And each little voice
Joins the chorus
Singing Praise and Glory to God
The idea emerges here that no voice is 'too small' or insignificant to the Creator -
even our human ones add richness to the multitude of sounds given by nature. But you
have said it better - simply, and with grace.
As the story is told
Whether early morning light
Or evening dusk
As the angels begin to play
The Lord smiles down upon those gathered
Here in the woods of Tully
On this exceptionally fine day
This is a delightful and reverent poem, Claire. It gives me a feeling of serenity
and renewed appreciation for all that is good in the world. The final two lines
are my favorites. I think their specificity helps each reader locate herself or
himself in "this exceptionally fine day" with gratitude for being alive.
I've enjoyed this reading immensely! Thank you for the opportunity to comment
on this joyous hymn to life.
All my best,
Joanne
This Poem was Critiqued By: Mell W. Morris On Date: 2003-09-20 18:32:02
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 10.00000
Claire:
Delighted to see one of your poems and return the favor of the many crits you have done for me.
My favorite is free verse style and nature poems so this should suit me well.
The title is apt because, having read the poem, what you describe is the glory of His
creation.
"Follow the sound
Come early morning light
You will find yourself going
(Off) to the west. ....perhaps "Toward the west"?.......
Stop for a while
Take it all in
The breath of life you feel
Will consume your soul."
Nice imagery and you've referred before to the sound of music coming from the west, so I am
intrigued. I like that shortly into the trek, you advise the reader to stop and take in all the
surroundings. The phrase "the breath of life...will consume your soul" is beautiful and profound.
"Lean back, relax, enjoy
As you sit in the meadow
Watch as God's little friends
Arrive one after the other."
Good advice, Claire. We are all in such a hurry and flurry and don't take time to stop and
appreciate God's grandeur. You have deftly limned the image of the meadow and I can smell
the grass and feel the bark of the tree against which I am leaning.
S4 is a delectable description of God's creatures from birds to Mr. Moose to Coyote Joe to Henrietta
and her dozen ducklings. (Henrietta had best keep an eye on Joe). My favorite phrase: "God needs a
baritone" and then Senor Moose shows up.
"Now as the sun rises in the east
Angels descend to the west
Bringing forth the harmony we hear
And each little voice
Joins the chorus
Singing Praise and Glory to God."
The mystery solved...the melody from the west is the voices of angels...simply lovely. I was unsure
about "each little voice" and to whom you refer but I think you mean all the little creatures you
have delineated.
"As the story is told
Whether early morning light
Or evening dusk
As the angels begin to play
The Lord smiles down upon those gathered
Here in the woods of Tully
On this exceptionally fine day."
A lovely tribute to the Creator and his creation. This reminds me of Gerard Manley Hopkins, not in
style, but in the theme and how it is played out. He wrote many praises to God via nature poems.
I enormously enjoyed your poem...like a waft of fresh air with the scent of the woods and meadow,
of all the great outdoors. Thank you for making my Saturday afternoon more special and serene.
Best wishes,
Mell
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