Poetry

Lectionary Poetry – Sixth Sunday of Epiphany (Year A)

Each week we carefully curate a collection of  poems that resonate with the lectionary readings for that week (Narrative Lectionary and Revised Common Lectionary).

 
 

*** Revised Common Lectionary ***

Lectionary Reading: Matthew 5:21-37 

 
 

CLASSIC POEM:

A Poison Tree
William Blake

I was angry with my friend;
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow.

And I waterd it in fears,
Night & morning with my tears:
And I sunned it with smiles,
And with soft deceitful wiles.

And it grew both day and night.
Till it bore an apple bright.
And my foe beheld it shine,
And he knew that it was mine.

And into my garden stole,
When the night had veild the pole;
In the morning glad I see;
My foe outstretched beneath the tree.

*** This poem is in the public domain,
and may be read in a live-streamed worship service.

 
 

CONTEMPORARY POEM:

Enough
Katie Peterson

Found in:
The Accounts

An elegant meditation on loyalty,
to accompany v. 33-37 of this passage… 

Snippet:

… Steadiness can be useful,
but my loyalty loves a form
that will follow me through changes.

[ READ THE FULL POEM ]

 
 

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C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He is also author of a number of books, including most recently How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church (Brazos Press, 2019). Connect with him online at: C-Christopher-Smith.com

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