Guest feature
“April is the Cruelest Month:”
Not So Fast, Mr. Eliot
Article by Brian C Nixon
With all due respect to the American/British poet, T.S. Eliot, April is not always the cruelest month, at least here in America where, ironically, the National Poetry Month takes place.
T.S. Eliot penned this line in his famous poem The Waste Land in 1922. The National Poetry Month was established in 1996. Somewhere within the 74 years from the poem’s inception to the creation of a month given to highlight poetry, good ol’ April was chosen as the season to celebrate verse.
Works for me. May not for Eliot.
I’ve made it practice pondering poetry throughout the year, not just April. I try to read one book of poetry each month, finding new authors, much of the time locals, whom I can spend small bits of time contemplating.
These past few months I’ve read an old favorite like William Stafford and new stalwarts, Tracy K. Smith. And longtime companions—Billy Collins, Charles Simic, and others. A few years back I read New Mexico poet, Keith Wilson.
NM Poet, Keith Wilson
How I came to pick up Wilson’s book, Grave’s Registry, at his former place of employment, New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico is a story worth telling.
Several years ago—in the month of April—I found myself driving composer, Warner Hutchison, to a concert in Las Cruces. The New Mexico State University horn ensemble was paying to tribute him with the performance of a couple of his pieces, highlighting a scholarship created in his honor.
On our way down to Las Cruces (about a 3 ½ hour trip), Warner told me about collaborating with two gentlemen from New Mexico State University. One was poet, Keith Wilson, the other, playwright, Mark Medoff (who wrote the famous play—turned movie—Children of a Lesser God).
Warner discussed how he enjoyed working with both men, composing music for their various endeavors.
Being that it was April and National Poetry Month, I asked about his work with Mr. Wilson.
“With the poet, Keith Wilson, I worked on a piece entitled, Paso Por Aqui: A Way Through the Mountains.”
Continuing, Hutchison said, “The work is based on three poems by Keith. The poems describe facets of Southern New Mexico life.”
“The movements are entitled: ‘Brother and Sister Dancing,’ ‘Southwestern Landscape,’ and ‘A Way Through the Mountains’—all named after his poems.
“Brother and Sister Dancing recollect a time Keith and his sister were dancing to a mariachi group.
“Southwestern Landscape was a nostalgic look at the New Mexico landscape. The poem was dedicated to painter, Wilson Hurley.
“And A Way Through the Mountains celebrates the Native American heritage.”
Warner concluded his discussion of the piece by stating that it was commissioned by the State of New Mexico for the “sesquicentennial of the founding of Las Cruces.”
I asked Warner what Keith’s thoughts were upon hearing the piece.
Composer, Warner Hutchison
“He was overjoyed,” Warner stated. “He kept saying how moved he was to hear his poems put to music. He even read the poems during the performance in April of 1999. It was a great partnership. I have very fond memories of Keith.
”Ah, there it is again, the month of April.
So, in recognition of National Poetry Month, I wrote a poem based upon my drive down with Warner and his work with Wilson and Medoff. It is entitled, Scholarship Drive.
Scholarship Drive
Traveled I-25 to
hear the sound
Of French horns
sing Come to the
Fair.
composer as compass,
we talked of a
playwright who penned
Lesser Gods and a
poet
who was moved
because music married
his text to mariachi music,
reading aloud at the
sesquicentennial celebration of a
city I find myself
in, walking the campus
of a university to
listen to Victor blow
oblivion in the April air
near Grave’s Registry.
Writing a poem causes me to ask: “Why has poetry had such a long-lasting influence in the world?”
The answer to the question can be complex, with tomes being written—from Aristotle on—providing insight and explanation.
But for me, the answer is simple: God is the archetype Poet and Creator; the foundation of all language begins with—and in—Him. Jesus is, after all, “the Word.” Furthermore, by inspiring writers of the Bible, God demonstrated the eternal value of words.
One-third of the Old Testament and portions of the New Testament is written in poetry. Whole books such as the Psalms and Song of Solomon were written in verse, not to mention poetical nuances found in the teachings of Jesus and various prophets throughout the entire scope of Holy Writ.
The first words in Genesis “In the beginning God created the heavens and earth” is poetry and reality mixed into one, a mutual exchange of the truth communicated in an artful way. God—through the inspiration given to Moses is stating something in a lovely and masterful manner, intended to join the true with the beautiful.
Poetry is an echo of God’s creativity sounded out on the lips, mind, and heart of His creation. In writing poetry, the poet—whether he or she sees it or not—is transmitting words for others to ponder and assess, and thereby participating in the cultural mandate of creativity, truth, and beauty—all initiated with Adam and Eve.
Another interesting thought to ponder is that poets abound in the Christian faith.
Just a cursory jog of my memory came up with a few, including, John Donne, George Herbert, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Daniel Berrigan, Calvin Miller, Thomas Merton, Brother Antonnius (William Everson), R. S Thomas, Geoffrey Hill, Czeslaw Milosz, Wendell Berry, and Christian Wiman. And these are just a few. Christian history is ripe with poets.
One can ask, “Why are there so many great poets within the Christian faith?”
One reason can be attributed to the inspiration to write, being moved by new life found in Christ and the beautiful vision of the Christian worldview.
A second reason could be the emphasis on the word—as discussed above. Christians look to the word, the Bible, for influence, edification, and moral guidance. Words have always played an important role within the Judeo-Christian worldview. Christians are, after all, “people of the Book.”
Another thought: the Christian-informed western world has elevated the role of the poet to sage, seer, and truth-teller, and Christians, yearning to be seekers of the truth, have gravitated towards poetry to proclaim God’s greatness, following a philosophical path leading towards Christ.
Whatever the reason, we can rejoice that so many Christians—and non-Christians alike—have taken to poetry, inspiring us, challenging us, and moving us with words of beauty and truth.
Contemplating the importance of poetry, one might say that poetry is radiance: it helps illuminate and elucidate our minds and soul; poetry restores the rust of our being, it helps repairs and renovate. Poetry can bring revival, a rebirth and return to the importance of the Word. If poetry helped King David, it can with modern believers as well.
And if poetry was good enough for God, then it is good enough for me.
April doesn’t have to be a cruel month, you know. April can be a month of new beginnings.
This April, investigate a Christian poet and let the words sing a song in your life.
Here’s a couple sits to begin your journey:
https://www.beliefnet.com/entertainment/galleries/five-christian-poets-you-need-to-know.aspx
About Brian C Nixon
My best friend (and husband of 30 years). It is with gratitude and kindredness that this month I’d like to share with you Brian. He inspires by gifting us with his varied creativity. Brian is a writer, artist, musician, and educator. He’s a graduate of California State University, Stanislaus (BA), Veritas Seminary (MA), and is a Fellow at Oxford Graduate School (D.Phil.). Most of all, he is wonderful Opa and father delighting his children in becoming life long learners.
