I’m currently enjoying Galahad and the Grail by Malcolm Guite.  I’m reading it slowly.  I will often pack a pipe a couple of times a week and sit outside and read a stave.

I’ve not been a big reader of poetry in my adulthood.  I encounter poetry primarily through the Psalms or the occasional poem that is recorded in fantasy fiction like The Lord of the Rings.  When I was in high school, I actually wrote some poetry for a college English class, and I was even part of a writing club for a short stint.  I was already nerdy enough that it wasn’t going to damage my reputation.

But I’ve had a recent resurgence in my interest in poetry.  While I was on sabbatical a couple of years back, I picked up a book of poetry called “The Soul in Paraphrase,” edited by Leland Ryken.  It is a book of older classical English poetry with commentary from Ryken.  Linda and I read it together, and it was fun and quite stretching.  Poetry challenges me to think outside of the common world of prose that constitutes my daily workspace.  I read a lot for my work.  I write a lot for my work.  I love the world of words.  And poetry is a relatively untapped resource that my heart has been turning toward, as I am seeking to intentionally slow down and contemplate more.

Malcolm Guite has several books of poetry.  He writes sonnets.  He writes ballads.  He has written lots of poetry.  And he strikes me as an old soul who also understands this modern world.

The themes of morality covered in Galahad and the Grail are important.  As far as stories go, he weaves the ancient heraldry of Arthurian legends with contemporary themes.  Who could imagine being challenged to consider the problems of porn addiction, the blight of a purely mechanistic technological view of progress, or even our civility toward those who disagree with us from a ballad about Galahad and the Grail?  Something feels important about this work!  And while some will assume it is for children, it is written for all.

It has stretched me in the poetry.  And I am better for heeding Guite’s advice to read it out loud.  But the morality it conveys, the role of faith, and the ways the characters overcome challenges make this a story that is speaking much more than a fun tale.  It would be good for young men (and women) to read this.  His target audience is young men. And my guess is that many young men will balk at the thought of picking up a book, let  alone a book of poetry.  But I commend this work to anyone who reads this blog.  I’m not on his marketing staff, and I get no cut from his sales. And I highly encourage you to check out Malcolm Guite’s works.

And yes, I said a pipe . . . And yes, I enjoy pipe tobacco in moderation. (When Spurgeon was challenged by a lady in his church about smoking cigars, he told her that he would quit if he found himself overindulging.  She kicked back and asked him how he would know if he was overindulging.  He quickly replied, “I’d know I was overindulging when I’m smoking two at a time.”)  And yes, I understand the risks.  And yes, I find it quite enjoyable and relaxing.  And I also said, poetry . . . And yes, I encourage you to join me in slowing down, unplugging, and reading something out loud outside.  The pipe is optional.  The need for quiet times of reflection is not.