Bridesmaids

After Matthew 25:1-13

They rush out giggling:

a wedding. Giddy

in excitement, a state

sublime if exhausting,

they buy their lamps

but no oil, not enough,

sufficient for a shirt time.

Another: they rush out,

giggling: a wedding, Giddy

in excitement, They buy

their maps, extra oil, to wait

for the bridegroom,

the precise time

of his arrival unknown,

extra oil sufficient

for a time and a time

The hour arrives;

five stumble in darkness,

their night vision impaired.

Five follow in light.

The door closes.

The door shuts.

Five bridesmaids

unknown.

Photograph by Eloi Khan via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.

Saturday Good Reads

It’s the centennial anniversary of the Battle of the Somme in World War I – the battle where more British soldiers died on the first day than any other battle in British history. It was a battle that dragged on for months, and when it was over, nothing had changed. Poet Owen Sheers takes a look in The Guardian at what is likely the most famous poem that came out of the war.

Westminster Abbey is preparing a treasure trove of fashion for an exhibition. A hosrt feature describes a visit to the Charles Dickens Museum in London (I’ve been twice and I would go again). And The Telegraph has the first color photos of flying in the 1950s – and yes, the world has certainly changed.

A reflection on Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” at The Rabbit Room. Artist Graham Dean does some wonderful things with paper and paint. Mick Silva on “designing the read” in writing. British singer and playwright sings his way through Brooklyn and creates a street party.

And mother’s hard story about a son with a heroin addiction.

Poetry

Laying hands – Lise at all the words.

In Parenthesis: in praise of the Somme's forgotten poet – Owen Sheers at The Guardian.

Faith

The Shenandoah and a Pattern of Grace – Winn Collier.

Faith’s Concern – Mike Leake at Borrowed Light.

New legalisms: where is grace? – Ted Gossard at Jesus Community.

British Stuff

Treasury of Historic Clothing Revealed at Westminster Abbey – The Guardian.

The first colour photos of flying in the 50s – The Telegraph.

Exploring the Life of Charles Dickens – Rick Millikan at Coast Reporter.

Art and Photography

Burning Out – Tim Good at National Geographic / Your Shot.

Wednesday Artist: Graham Dean – Maureen Doallas at Writing Without Paper.

Art Stories: Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks — How We Spend Our Days – Russ Ramsey at The Rabbit Room.

Life and Culture

“My Son is a Heroin Addict” – A Mother’s Story of Love – David Rupert at Red-Letter Believers.

Christians Can No Longer be Pharmacists – Rod Dreher at American Conservative.

Writing

Designing the Read – Mick Silva.

YOU MUST READ THIS is not a headline – David Murray at Writing Boots.

Let Me Go – Gary Barlow

Painting: Woman Reading, oil on canvas by Alexander Deineka (1934).

A tale of two

Wisdom is from knowledge

education experience

Or bits into information into data

into big data into knowledge

into wisdom and if really wise

into a TED talk

and a guest appearance

on a late night talk show

so the world will listen

and you become famous

and wise in your own eyes,

at least, clever in your own heart,

at least, you sow and you reap

the world

bits do not equal wisdom

wisdom: pure peaceful

gentle considerate submissive

merciful fair impartial

sincere and it is sown;

the farmer harvests so that

we eat, nourished.

Photograph by George Hodan via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.