John donne

Late in the day - I apologize.

John Donne day today.

I was going to quote just a verse and then link but you might not clikc through and it is better all together - so enjoy........

A Hymn to God the Father

by John Donne

Wilt thou forgive that sin where I begun,
Which was my sin, though it were done before?
Wilt thou forgive that sin, through which I run,
And do run still, though still I do deplore?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.

Wilt thou forgive that sin which I have won
Others to sin, and made my sin their door?
Wilt thou forgive that sin which I did shun
A year or two, but wallow'd in, a score?
When thou hast done, thou hast not done,
For I have more.

I have a sin of fear, that when I have spun
My last thread, I shall perish on the shore;
But swear by thyself, that at my death thy Son
Shall shine as he shines now, and heretofore;
And, having done that, thou hast done;
I fear no more.

Donne is held up as a mystic - but I suspect he was somewhat unsettling. Beauty often seems to be only a hairs breadth from the ugliness of insanity and it seems like only grace hold them apart.

The man born blind can see - but the world around him is angry at his good fortune and he himself has to deal with a change of status - yet somehow through the maelstrom of feeling he finds Jesus - he touches faith. Somehow through fear Donne touches light and peace - somehow we are called to allow the fine line and do the same.