In the May 10, 2025 Second Saturday Conversation I reviewed a view comments made by our guest in April, Mark Oakley, who insists that poetry is the person of faith’s native language. I reminded us of the meaning of poiesis, which is a verb: making,creating, emerging. What is suggested here is that faith (sometimes translated as trust) has more to do with experience than with propositions.
I also offered some thoughts on our signature poem for this program year: I Dwell in Possibility, by Emily Dickinson. I also made some comments about Rilke’s poem, Archaic Torso of Apollo. A line from that poem, “suffused with brilliance from inside” was the title for this session.
We had conversation about poetry being more than rhyme or ornamentation. Rather a way of giving word to what we see and sense knowing that words can only attempt to mirror our experience. In their own way poetry creates, makes, brings into being the very experience we are trying to convey. Group response to this session was particularly helpful!
Our final Second Saturday Conversation for this program year is June 14, 2025.
We will look at the year’s offerings and review where we have been and where we are.
Our new program year begins September 13, 2025.