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Critical Analysis #1
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Diana B
Member
since 2000-03-10
Posts 97


0 posted 2000-03-13 12:16 PM


Chant
kyrie eleison
mystic rapture incensed
vision psalms
dominum benedictius
opens to god

mysteries sung
monasticism given
hooded to brothers
sisters veiled cloister
grills close opened
freedom to blessing

choir daybreaks
matins terce compline
magnificat
pieta requiem vespers
inhaling
totality of oneness

poverty adoration ransoms
riches ecstacy chastity
prostration incensed
charity loved  to obedience
holiness into
simplicity pure

humility thorned crown
corpus domini jesu christi
martrydom apostolis
gloria sanctus laudate
canon remembrance
forgiveness forgiven

alpha omega
kiss peace of christ
agnus dei sacrificum
eternal perfection
Love sing me home
plain song
forever,
and ever


© Copyright 2000 Diana B - All Rights Reserved
jbouder
Member Elite
since 1999-09-18
Posts 2534
Whole Sort Of Genl Mish Mash
1 posted 2000-03-13 11:25 AM


Diana:

My limited knowledge of Greek, Latin and Roman Catholic religious practice aided my understanding of this one.  I, personally, am Lutheran and know relatively little of Catholic religious practice (I know more of Roman Catholic Doctrine than practice) but I will give understanding this poem a shot.  You have a thing for languages, don't you?      You intermix English, Greek and Latin interestingly.

This seems to me to be a personal hymn of sorts.  I'm afraid that my comments on this are going to be relatively poor.  I apologize for this ahead of time.

"kyrie eleison"

I recognize "kyrie" as Greek for "lord" but I don't recognize "eleison".

"mystic rapture incensed
vision psalms
dominum benedictius
opens to god"

I am guessing that "dominum benedictius" means "good word of the lord" but I can't be certain.  It would seem that the burnng of incense is aiding in the worshipper's experience and understanding of God's Word.

"mysteries sung
monasticism given
hooded to brothers
sisters veiled cloister
grills close opened
freedom to blessing"

The use of "freedom to blessing" is interesting here, particularly considering the rigid rules and discipline associated with monastic life.  Perhaps these lines are suggesting that subjecting one's self to the seemingly binding life of monasticism free's one to approach God and secure His blessings?  

"choir daybreaks
matins terce compline
magnificat
pieta requiem vespers
inhaling
totality of oneness"

Much of the meaning of this is lost to me.  The Latin "matins terce compline magnificat" I couldn't translate or recognize.  I believe "vespers" to be morning worship and the "inhaling totality of oneness" a description of the religious experience associated with a life centered on meditation and concentration on God.

"poverty adoration ransoms
riches ecstacy chastity
prostration incensed
charity loved  to obedience
holiness into
simplicity pure"

An interesting list of words here.  Many would be contrasted, depending on context (poverty/riches, chastity/ecstacy, for example).  But I don't think you are refering to material riches or physical/sexual ecstacy but, rather, I think you are referring to the depths of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God (yeah, I love the doxology of Romans 11).  The "ecstacy", I think, is a result of an appropriation of this knowledge.

"humility thorned crown
corpus domini jesu christi"

Referring, plain enough, to the atonement effected by the crucified "body of the Lord Jesus Christ".

"martrydom apostolis
gloria sanctus laudate"

Perhaps a remembrance of the holy martyrs of Christian history and of the Apostles of Christ.  I think "gloria sanctus laudate" is a declaration of praise.

"canon remembrance
forgiveness forgiven"

By "canon" are you referring to Scripture?  Lutheranism (and most of Protestantism, as far as I know) considers the "Canon" to be the Divinely inspired Holy Scriptures.  Catholicism may define "canon" differently.  I am interested in knowing.    

"alpha omega"

The first and last letters in the Greek alphabet, used in the Revelation to John to refer to Christ as the "beginning and the end".

"kiss peace of christ
agnus dei sacrificum
eternal perfection"

Not sure of the significance of "kiss peace of Christ".  I am pretty sure "agnus dei sacrificum" has something to do with God's acceptance of Christ as a perfect and sufficient sacrifice for sin.

"Love sing me home
plain song
forever,
and ever"

This was beautifully written.  I regret that my understanding of it is sorely limited.  Thanks for posting.

Jim

P.S.  Some help on that Russian quote from Tolstoy would be much appreciated.  I'm having NO luck with the Russian-English online dictionaries.  




[This message has been edited by jbouder (edited 03-13-2000).]

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