A Comedian’s Prayer Book was a recent acquistion; a birthday gift from my wife, written by Frank Skinner. Being only a little familiar with his shows I am intrigued by this small book. I thought I’d look him up as I have time whilst gardening to listen to podcasts and audio material. Frank I discover, has a poetry podcast. He speaks about one of his favourite poets Gerard Manley Hopkins. More specifically Hopkins’ poem The Windhover.
(Take a deep breath, and read slowly out loud, savouring the rhythm, rhyme, phrases and words).
The Windhover
To Christ our Lord
I caught this morning morning’s minion, king-
dom of daylight’s dauphin, dapple-dawn-drawn Falcon, in his riding
Of the rolling level underneath him steady air, and striding
High there, how he rung upon the rein of a wimpling wing
In his ecstasy! then off, off forth on swing,
As a skate’s heel sweeps smooth on a bow-bend: the hurl and gliding
Rebuffed the big wind. My heart in hiding
Stirred for a bird, – the achieve of, the mastery of the thing!
Brute beauty and valour and act, oh, air, pride, plume, here
Buckle! AND the fire that breaks from thee then, a billion
Times told lovelier, more dangerous, O my chevalier!
No wonder of it: shéer plód makes plough down sillion
Shine, and blue-bleak embers, ah my dear,
Fall, gall themselves, and gash gold-vermilion.
I don’t really know much about this poem apart from having read it before a handful of times. It’s about a bird – a kestrel or falcon as Skinner states.
He is apologetic in expressing that his podcast about the poem will mention Jesus and so he does. In fact I found, even in his stumbling to get the words out – that also had appeal, making the whole review more attractive. I certainly identify with Frank in stumbling for words when I speak about weighty matters.
He identifies in a simple, non-academic, unflowery way in the language of the common people that this poem is about a bird but as the subtitle suggests is also honouring Christ.
I was moved to worship without words expressed as I listened to his words spoken. The poem speaks indirectly or figuratively of Christ’s purpose in coming to earth. How he came to earth in humility, the lowly superhero and through blood spilled on the cross gave himself for us. Frank speaks about Christ’s activity and I am strangely warmed!
Here is the link Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast