Eleven Addresses to the Lord
1
Master of beauty, craftsman of the snowflake,
inimitable contriver,
endower of Earth so gorgeous & different from the boring Moon,
thank you for such as it is my gift.
I have made up a morning
prayer to you
containing with precision everything that most matters.
'According to Thy will' the thing begins.
It took me off & on two days. It does not aim at eloquence.
containing with precision everything that most matters.
'According to Thy will' the thing begins.
It took me off & on two days. It does not aim at eloquence.
You have come to my rescue
again & again
in my impassable, sometimes despairing years.
You have allowed my brilliant friends to destroy themselves
and I am still here, severely damaged, but functioning.
in my impassable, sometimes despairing years.
You have allowed my brilliant friends to destroy themselves
and I am still here, severely damaged, but functioning.
Unknowable, as I am unknown
to my guinea pigs:
how can I 'love' you?
I only as far as gratitude & awe
confidently & absolutely go.
how can I 'love' you?
I only as far as gratitude & awe
confidently & absolutely go.
I have no idea whether we
live again.
It doesn't seem likely
from either the scientific or the philosophical point of view
but certainly all things are possible to you,
It doesn't seem likely
from either the scientific or the philosophical point of view
but certainly all things are possible to you,
and I believe as fixedly in
the Resurrection-appearances to Peter and
to
Paul
as I believe I sit in this blue chair.
Only that may have been a special case
to establish their initiatory faith.
as I believe I sit in this blue chair.
Only that may have been a special case
to establish their initiatory faith.
Whatever your end may be,
accept my amazement.
May I stand until death forever at attention
for any your least instruction or enlightenment.
I even feel sure you will assist me again, Master of insight & beauty.
May I stand until death forever at attention
for any your least instruction or enlightenment.
I even feel sure you will assist me again, Master of insight & beauty.
~ John Berryman
~
(Collected
Poems)
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