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Guest Blogger Michael
Fitzgerald-Clarke:
“The Underground Stream, Thomas Merton, and Spiritual Prayer as Poetry.”
The Underground Stream was initially conceived as a response to
poetry I wrote during Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton sessions at the House of Prayer and Spirituality in Townsville, Australia.
I have several books by Thomas Merton amongst my bookshelf,
but it was only when I began attending the sessions at the House of Prayer (as it is known) (Below) that he registered with me, both
as a religious thinker, and as a poet.
It has been said that Thomas Merton is one of the most
important religious thinkers of the twentieth century. I’m not qualified to make that call. All I can say is that these past years
studying his writings has illumined my faith journey.
I did a similar thing at the main meeting room at the House of Prayer. (Above Right) Over three days of creative silence, living
in the House, The Underground Stream coalesced similarly.
Yes, these days I’m happy to be called a Christian. Following several decades of fairly regular
church attendance in Canberra – at the North Canberra Baptist Church and then
in the 2000s St Philip’s Anglican Church in O’Connor – my move to Townsville in
2009 has seen me attending the Contemplative Living with Thomas Merton sessions. I have been attending since about 2012, and
month in month out it is a cornerstone of my faith observance.
It’s worth saying that I remain close friends with the
pastor of the North Canberra Baptist Church, from those late millennium times,
Ian Minto.(Below Left) His family remain much
loved. Similarly, a former rector of St
Philip’s, Rebecca Newland, (Below Right) is a cherished friend still.
The Underground Stream is dedicated to Connie Cairns (Right). For years, she ran the Thomas Merton
sessions, giving me a lift there each time.
I was privileged to repay her kindnesses to me, with the
dedication. Connie is one of the
planet’s loving souls. We still catch up
every now and again for a cuppa.
My ordering the poems saw me wishing to bookend the book.
“The Joy” was written in the mid-1980s, and “At Eagles Nest” is also of that time. They are the two oldest poems in the
book. Most of the poems were penned in
the past couple of years. (Left: The Underground Stream in the mail out process.)
The Joy
Why
stop? Why more silence?
An
ocean brushes past:
we
are, don’t look, we are
songs,
flaking beyond continuance.
At Eagles Nest
On
this windswept headland
I am
close to the clouds.
I
fill my lungs with the tart air,
smell
the sea
and
contemplate the future of the world.
For me, the most emotionally fraught poem in The
Underground Stream is “Paralytic
Mountain”. It was penned in the
mid-1980s, and in some ways it documents a friendship that quickly went
wrong. Elaine Hill and I parted
acrimoniously. As a part of processing
that time, “Paralytic Mountain”
helped me to deal with anguish. I did
not feel I could make it public until now. (Right: Thomas Merton)
1.
On
the first day two vomited.
On
the third day they asked why.
On
the sixth day nobody knew.
A
week had gone.
The
fire still threw waves.
I
dreamt of a mountain.
A
paralytic mountain.
Rising
from the open first of sleep.
Excerpt,
“Paralytic Mountain”
I spell GOD in capitals, these days. Last year, I read The Practice of the Presence of
God and The Spiritual Maxims ~ Brother Lawrence, this book has GOD in
caps, and it sits well with me as a contemplative text to learn from. In the Holy Bible, GOD is often addressed
as LORD. Somehow, this deepens the
mystery for me.
Yes, there are poems dedicated to various people. No elegies, one of my credos as a poet is to
try to honour some of my friends’ birthdays.
I sent Angela Merkel (Left) a gift copy, as a poem for her birthday, “Poem for
Angela’s Birthday, 2016” is included [page 15].
Bless her, I received a reply.
I wish to finish with words from my long-time friend Thom
The World Poet (Right) [he Googles]: Michael Fitzgerald-Clarke may be known to you largely through his
poetics-several tomes of original works and more Anthologies he has curated. His luminaries include Keats and those
Romantics-but his spirit belongs to Thomas Merton. What is special about Michael is his
spirit-based wordworks. His faith and
trust animates his immense creative spark. Not since Gerard Manley Hopkins has
such a brave and necessary alignment taken place
His continuing creativity is to be supported, encouraged and applauded.
With much respect
Thom(poet)
Michael
Fitzgerald-Clarke email
The House of Prayer and
Spirituality Webpage
Thomas Merton Center
The
Practice of the Presence of God and the Spiritual Maxims
Thom The World Poet Web
Page
The
Underground Stream order via Lulu
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