navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #11 » Solemnity
Open Poetry #11
Post A Reply Post New Topic Solemnity Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware

0 posted 2001-01-04 06:26 PM



Solemnity

Sometimes
through the weight of frequency
through the laughter of the jaded
something is lost

No rubric,
none of the rituals
we've been through
seem more than
filling out a 1040
or getting a fishing license

But then
if we're fortunate
God may bless us
remind us
what commitment means
and we see solemn
in a ritual again

I felt it on a California trip
midst icons
and triptychs
with family
candles, oil
and prayer

What's more amazing
all the flashes
the whirr of cameras
took nothing away
God held His place
respect maintained

It was a tiny church
like no other
not fundamental
not Baptist
not Catholic
nor traditional Protestant

Greek Orthodox
robes, beards, incense

Reverence
was there in abundance
my niece and her husband
their older son
had brought young Matthew
to be baptized

They'd been married -
Episcopal
their older son
christened there too

Because there'd been agreement
God would be present
Christ ignores sectarian differences
but families have traditions
and love makes concessions

So the font came forward
huge, chalice-shaped
as prayers and processions
moved about the small church
holy water poured
prayers repeated
"Lord have Mercy"
and so it happened
Matthew was churched,
Matthew was oiled -
Matthew was immersed
in the names
of the trinity
and shining
with holy oil
and holy water
this new Christian infant
stopped crying
was proudly showing himself
to all assembled

We did not leave then
Mother and Father
committed themselves
a second time
to one another
witnessed in these
reverent walls
and the pride
and love
of the groom's father
was not outdone
by the incandescent lights
or the candles
I saw the four eyes
of bride and groom
again as I'd seen them
seven years ago
still filled with
the same love
the same faith
that brought them here

I shed a tear
for renewed faith
solemnity
restored
and love



Great souls have wills; feeble ones have only wishes.

~ Chinese Proverb ~


© Copyright 2001 Wilfred Yeats - All Rights Reserved
Sunnyone
Member Ascendant
since 2000-07-06
Posts 5334
Staffordshire, England
1 posted 2001-01-04 06:32 PM


Wilfred....
May I be the first to tell you how wonderful this work is, full of tradition and family love. Thank you for submitting it for these eyes to read. It gives me a sense of peace and wholeness to know that families still exist..........


Write on!
-<--<--{(@


Greeneyes
Deputy Moderator 50 ToursDeputy Moderator 10 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Rara Avis
since 2000-09-09
Posts 9903
In Your Poetic Mind
2 posted 2001-01-04 06:34 PM


I was so touched by this, what a beautiful expression of love for family....wonderful...splendid write dear friend....


Greeneyes~

***


"Within you I lose myself
Without you I find myself
Wanting to be lost again."
-Unknown


Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049
California
3 posted 2001-01-04 07:01 PM


Bill

I shed a tear
for renewed faith
solemnity
restored
and love

So many rituals make up families...all tied together with love, in ribbon that expands and changes, yet stays the same.

Wonderful heart in this poem!


Daniel J D
Senior Member
since 2000-10-01
Posts 1471
Hillcrest, Queensland, Australia
4 posted 2001-01-04 07:59 PM


Wilfred,
A very moving poem, straight from a good heart.

Respond to my call and let the waves of my heart fill your life with the wonders of love
(Daniel J D)

Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA
5 posted 2001-01-04 09:57 PM


Solemnity is a wonderful thing indeed... This is lovely, Wil..
Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354
Listening to every heart
6 posted 2001-01-04 10:01 PM


Sweet, solemn tears indeed...

beautiful, Mr. Yeats...

Denise
Moderator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-08-22
Posts 22648

7 posted 2001-01-04 10:02 PM


Fabulous writing! You've captured it so well!

Denise

Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
8 posted 2001-01-04 10:42 PM


In recent years - in a new city - and with a new wife - my faith - while still strong - does not pursue a church with heavily solumn rituals and rubric - Still - memory of solumn high masses with incense, processions, embroidered vestments, and chanted prayers remains with me. What I described, in addition to what I wrote - reminded me - of my former self - and - mostly gave me hope for the faith of mankind for the future

Thank you all

Marge Tindal
Deputy Moderator 5 ToursDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 TourDeputy Moderator 1 Tour
Member Empyrean
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores
9 posted 2001-01-05 12:34 PM


Wilfred~
You cloaked this in the garments of abiding faith.
The reverance of the piece touched me deeply.
Thank you for sharing.
~*Marge*~



~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~
noles1@totcon.com

ethome
Member Patricius
since 2000-05-14
Posts 11858
New Brunswick Canada
10 posted 2001-01-05 05:04 AM


It's defininely refreshing to realize that some people still have respect for things that are important to the family unit. The trouble with this free enterprise democratic system is the ease with which the family unit can be swept aside for careers and financial or sexual gain.....great work Bill!
serenity blaze
Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738

11 posted 2001-01-05 05:33 AM


Wilfred? It's been awhile since I've been to church...so I thank you for bringing me there this morning...quite beautiful...and feeds the soul. A wonderful write!
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
12 posted 2001-01-05 01:32 PM


marge - ethome - serenity -
Raised Catholic - a religeon I parted from (you can take the man from ... but you can't take the ... from the man) I've attended Unity (6 years) and now Methodist - I eound my Niece's (Episcopal) marriage to Greek Orthodox - a fascinating blend I think that's why the Baptism/Marriage was so compelling a subject.

Thank you very much

doreen peri
Member Elite
since 1999-05-25
Posts 3812
Virginia
13 posted 2001-01-05 01:41 PM


the first time i got married, it was in the greek orthodox church... an absolutely beautiful ceremony with crowns exchanged (of course, the church didn't gaurantee the marriage would last! LOL)

both of my children were christened in the Greek Orthodox church.... it is an absolutely  awesome, captivating rite, spiritually charged in every way.... it is almost "timeless", if that makes sense.... (my sister stood up as godmother for my daughter... she had a bit of a tough time not laughing when she had to say, "i spit on satan"... lol... )

anyway... i thought your poem described it wonderfully.... and i thoroughly enjoyed it, especially also because i could identify with it...  

Paula Finn
Member Ascendant
since 2000-06-17
Posts 5546
missouri
14 posted 2001-01-05 01:56 PM


This is truly lovely Bill...a wonderful expression of the day you spent amongst your family...thank you so much for sharing this with me...
Wilfred Yeats
Member Elite
since 2000-08-04
Posts 2704
Wilmington, Delaware
15 posted 2001-01-06 01:00 PM


Doreen-

My first visit to a Greek Church came when an employee of mine was married - I was struck then by the service and remember it still - then of course the intro to greek food - been enamoured of that ever since as well ~G~ - Thank you

Paula-
It is the solumn that seems to keep us 'grounded' thank you

Post A Reply Post New Topic ⇧ top of page ⇧ Go to Previous / Newer Topic Back to Topic List Go to Next / Older Topic
All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format.
navwin » Archives » Open Poetry #11 » Solemnity

Passions in Poetry | pipTalk Home Page | Main Poetry Forums | 100 Best Poems

How to Join | Member's Area / Help | Private Library | Search | Contact Us | Login
Discussion | Tech Talk | Archives | Sanctuary