I’ve been reflecting on poems which have given me spiritual comfort or insight in life. (I gave an earlier example of a poem by Wendell Berry here)
Robert Frost’s poetry particularly inspires. Having been brought up in a village in the north of England his often sparse nature poems often resonate with me.
Years ago, when a prison chaplain I met the remarkable Sr Catherine, an Irish Nun who visitied Irish prisoners imprisoned outside Ireland. She sent prisoners a Christmas card each year with a poem included, and she sent the same one to me. One year it contained this poem by Frost. In the poem On a Tree fallen across a Road, he offers insight to those facing struggles in life.
A while ago I sent a priest friend who was facing personal turmoil a copy of the poem. A few weeks later he remarked on the strength he had received from it, and how he in turn had passed it on to others.
On a Tree Fallen across The Road
(to hear us talk)
The tree the tempest with a crash of wood
Throws down in front of us is not to bar
Our passage to our journey’s end for good
But just to ask us who we think we are
Insisting always on our own way so.
She likes to halt us in our runners tracks,
And make us get down in a foot of snow
Debating what to do without an ax.
And yet she knows obstruction is in vain:
We will not be put off the final goal
We have it hidden in us to attain,
Not though we have to seize earth by the pole
And, tired of aimless circling in one place,
Steer straight off after something into space.
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