He is the Way.
Follow Him through the Land of Unlikeness;
You will see rare beasts, and have unique adventures.
He is the Truth.
Seek Him in the Kingdom of Anxiety;
You will come to a great city that has expected your return for years.
He is the Life.
Love Him in the World of the Flesh;
And at your marriage all its occasions shall dance for joy.
(Christmas Oratorio)
(W H Auden – 1907-1973)
2 comments:
Thanks for these lines, Jon.
Auden seems to be out of favour at the moment - just the other week I was looking through a new compilation of modern British poetry and he seemed terribly under-represented in comparison with some more contemporary but less gifted poets.
Thanks for getting in touch. This is one of my favourite bits. You are not the only person to have found it quoted on my site - I had a pingback as well from http://unitedinterim.blogspot.com/2009/11/nov-29-sermon-from-middletown.html as well.
http://hopeeternal.wordpress.com/2008/01/08/christmas-oratorio-w-h-auden/
h/e
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