Round Is Not A Pregnant Shape, A Poem By Peter Menkin

For about 8 years I worked off and on at the department store Sears on a part time basis.It was mainly on. A few poems about observations while on duty as a sales clerk were written. Herewith, a poem from 2002 on what I saw at Sears. There were only a few of these poems, originally posted on the Atlantic Monthly Writer’s Workshop (now defunct). I am sorry I did not write more of them, as 7 years later I like this one and another.

One can’t call two or three poems a series, and because I keep poems I’ve written on my computer, I will search to see if there are more. Some people think it unfair to be revising or looking at poems 7 or 8 years old. One poet remarked to me that this wasn’t so unusual, to keep an image or a sense of a poem in ones mind for years.

My way is to return to work written sometimes as long ago as 8 years or even nine, and revise. I find at times that I begin to like the poem, where before I did not like it so much or found it lacking. I do hope you like this one as it is an amusement. So as I say, herewith the poem:

Round is Not a Pregnant Shape

by Peter Menkin

Three pregnant women
last night at the store.
Each carried her self,
proving round is not
a pregnant shape.

I watch the pregnant women
as they shop, and walk,
move about with children
or alone.

This is part of my
store duties, I tell myself:
Pregnant woman watching.

There are ovals, and mountains,
abundance, and full.
There are heavier, and moving,
ripe and blooming. Some are a little bit more.

Amid this there is something
new, alive, awakening to two
and wonderment moving towards
birth.

Photo by Henry Worthy, Camaldoli, Benedictine Oblate, London. "Contemplating His Creation."

Reflection on Poetic Wellspring
a poem
by Peter Menkin
revise 2009, from 2001

Introduction: "Anglican Poetry as a Spiritual Path" with Pamela Cranston held in October 2001 at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Belvedere, CA USA (north of San Francisco) was a wonderful, memorable meeting and talk which I remember in this poem I wrote. This is the final revise on it, 8 years later, posted at the end of this Peter Menkin blog entry. First, other poems by poets better known than this aspiring poet.

We have women Priests in The Episcopal Church USA, and the poet Pamela Cranston is one of them. Her work is sometimes published in the American "Anglican Theological Review," and I have one of her books. I've posted one of her poems at the end of this entry, and noted it as hers from the very good workbook that was party to the talk. This poem by her titled, "Searching for Nova Albion" is from an unpublished mansucript, Carriers of Strange Fire, copyrighted 2001.

The Priest Zoila Schoenbrun, my friend, put the talk together at the Church where she served, before her retirement. Because Lent is coming, and the Annunciation March 25, here this poem by Luci Shaw for the moment:

Virgin
by Luci Shaw

As if until that moment
nothing real
had happened since Creation

As if outside the world were empty
so that she and he were all
there was--he mover, she moved upon

As if her submission were the most
dynamic of all works: as if
no one had ever said Yes like that

As if one day the sun had no place
in all the universe to pour its gold
but her small room

Pulitzer Prize winner Annie Dillard says that, "Luci Shaw gives us faith in writing at its most revelatory...a passionate embrace of creation's radiance."

Luci Shaw, born 1928, is but one poet in the "book" of poets Mother Pamela put together. Here is The Rev. Pamela Lee Cranston from the same "book."

Searching for Nova Albion
by Pamela Cranston

Today I went westering,
like Sir Francis Drake,
along the boulevard
that bore his name.

I drove past burger joints and bookstores,
theaters and boutiques,
past remnant groves of redwood trees
rapt in contemplation,
past oyster beds bubbling by Tomales Bay,
past depressed dairies sailing on the open moor,
Ghost ships splintered by the muscling mist,
to the furthest curb of Marin County.

Drake’s Beach lay fourteen miles out:
shafts of sunlight washed
the white curdled cliffs
leaving its yellow softness there.
I rinsed my eyes
and tried to see how Drake
would have seen this sandstone land.

And did his feet in ancient times
walk upon this pleasant strand?

Surely he saw the greedy gulls—
their feet like pink rubber spatulas;
saw ribbons of kelp lying in clumps
of tangled brown mops;
the lonesome pelican bobbing on the waves—
a tiny submarine, periscope up;
the Chinese calligraphy
of sandpiper tracks;
and the walls of green glass rising
in the sea’s silent elevator,
brimming towards thunder.

Except, there were more of them.

Let me be clear.
I am not like Francis Drake,
that merry rogue explorer—
his spirits addicted to high adventure.
I am like the earnest chaplain, Mr. Fletcher,
more tentative and bookish,
seasick below deck,
nervously thumbing his Prayerbook,
praying for dry land,
as one would for rain.


I tend to seek safe passage,
wherever I go.


But who can stand to see
the stripping of Albion’s beauty?
Who is willing to be the last
to hear a curlew sing?

Why I post the poem on Nova Albion here is I live in Marin County, in Mill Valley, north of San Francisco, CA USA, and I think it tells so well of the area--the poem does. Thank you Pamela. Wonderful poem!

These credits for this poem "...Albion..."
Searching For Nova Albion, in The Anglican Theological Review, Vol. 83, No. 4, pgs. 821-2, Fall 2001.

The poetry gathering was an area event, and people from the entire Bay Area of Episcopal Churchgoers were invited. I don't think we had more than ten participants. I was one, and this is the poem I wrote about the morning event.

Reflection on Poetic Wellspring
By Peter Menkin
February 19, 2009


We reflect in words.
We reflect on poetry
and God, and faith in this room
at Church. The morning light
is remarkable here.

The colors of the room
are present to the bright
morning time, windows clear to day
letting in much light and largeness
that the privacy of the heart
is awake, more so.

The words in their rhythm,
in their depth,
in their resonance move us.

How we are in slumber is noticed during awakening,
and being more alive in the eternal
we grasp time together.

So these poetic lines illuminated
with morning hours and friendship
bring life to sensibilities aesthetic.

These times allow us with God, to come, go
abide
with knowledge; we are passing through,
journeying with what is given.
That is the renewing sigh of gift.

This sacred place is special, for we
expect the Holy and religiously spiritual
by its place and purpose.

Do we poets not add to praise
and recognition of Christ? Yes.
Holy Spirit of the Season, come,
hear our words.

The season is changing at the end of Pentecost,
knowing the risen Lord.
This is song of the poems,
in the attention of those present,
in the hour of joint concentration.
It is that we are new renewed.

New living members grow
among the spirit's times, we in quiet pray:
present growing light,
illumine us.
We are in these bodies that are
flesh of man and woman as before time itself;
we know the ancient, and feel our humanity.

Images: Middle images from this place:

http://imageandspirit.blogspot.com/

That is, "Image & Spirit," a blog part of Episcopal Church Visual Arts Network.
The third image: Jeanelle McCall, all rights reserved. This address: http://imageandspirit.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-09-21T07%3A55%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=25
Title of work: "Voice Within."

Second image title: "Honoring the Dark." These notes from the posting on "Image & Spirit." Photo by Jan Neal. The photograph above honors the dark and oddly served to examine my shadow's fascination with this image of what looks like a monster - actually a cicada - perched on the head of the blessed Mother Mary statue who stands guard at the entrance of my garden. Read about the symbolism of the cicada, to include its Christian symbolism and enjoy the irony of this image captured by my shadow at The Sacred and the Profane. The entry is found here:
http://imageandspirit.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2008-09-21T07%3A55%3A00-04%3A00&max-results=25

The Sacred and Profane is found here:
http://digitalartadvocate.squarespace.com/studio-journal/category/nature





First picture by Rick White of Mill Valley, CA USA showing Mount Tamalpias. Rick's notes on the photograph: On a daily walk along Corte Madera Creek I'm never without my Nikon. This day, stopping to admire Mt. Tamalpais' profile, I impulsively lay down face-forward into a patch of dandelions, so to catch the setting sun shining through this seed-pod's perfect globe.

Last image, a gathering of people at Church. I've lost the reference to it for a credit, my apologies.

Martin Luther: Reformer, Hymnist
A Homily
By Peter Menkin
Church of Our Saviour (Episcopal)
Mill Valley, CA USA
Wednesday Eucharist, 10:30 a.m.
February 18, 2009

Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 1994
Isaiah 55: 6-11
John 15: 1-11
Psalm 46


In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Our readings today are rich, and so is the life of Martin Luther. This remarkable and great man of history did, as God’s instrument, reform the Christian Church throughout the world. Who does not know the name? Those of the Christian faith, certainly do.
If you come away with any good news from this Homily, let it be that God works in history. That Martin Luther, a man of God, was a man of God in history. That God still speaks. He speaks to us in many ways. As Luther so ardently said 500 years, ago, the Bible speaks to us. As we know, the Holy Spirit is a guide.

Martin Luther, man of history, was a writer of hymns, famous for music that we sing today. He is a reminder of a Christ-inspired, a Christ-filled life, and a Christ-gifted man of faith. His most notable and memorable hymn is, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God.” Here is a part of the hymn played for us. (Some of the hymn is played on a musical instrument, no voice.)

These are some words from the hymn:

"A mighty fortress is our God
A bulwark never failing;
Our helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe –
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal."

One commentary says: “Luther’s hymn was sung boldly as an affirmation of God’s power over forces that sought to disrupt the truth of God.”

Martin Luther was born November 10, 1483, at Eisleben, Germany. He studied at Mansfeld, Magdeburg and Eisenach, Germany. At the age of 18, he entered the University of Erfurt intending a career in law. But dropped out almost immediately, believing that law represented uncertainty. Almost at the same time he received his Master’s degree, he became a monk. This was 1505. He had entered the Augustinian monastery at Erfurt to prepare for the priesthood.
He was appointed professor at the University of Wittenberg in 1508. After his ordination, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity and attracted large congregations by his preaching.

In 1511 he visited Rome, became critical over the corruptions in the church and agonized over the problem of salvation--that it was not won by indulgences, but was a gift of God's grace.

On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his 95 theses of denunciation in Wittenberg with a view to begin a public debate. This started a quarrel between Luther and the church.

These are the first three theses:
1. When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, "Repent" (Mt 4:17), he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.

2. This word cannot be understood as referring to the sacrament of penance, that is, confession and satisfaction, as administered by the clergy.

3. Yet it does not mean solely inner repentance; such inner repentance is worthless unless it produces various outward mortification of the flesh.

During 1521, Luther maintained his stand before the Diet of Worms that led to his excommunication. German princes and followers among churchmen and the people supported him. At this time he began translating the Bible into German. He completed the whole translation in 1531.

The translation of the Bible into German, invention of the printing press, and hymn writing all brought the spirit of God to common men, gave Martin Luther, the great preacher, another venue that moved the Christian world towards the new way--Protestantism.

History of man and of creation, which means our earth and the universe, is God’s field. He acts so greatly. Yet God acts with and in mankind. He as friendly maker brought so much to one man, Martin Luther, who in Christ remarkably added and was an instrument of movement in human life. So we know that Christ acts in man, for in our reading today from John, the reading offers: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit…” Martin Luther did this in accord with his understanding of the Bible. He was a prophet.

Thomas Carlyle, the Scottish Calvinist and Essayist of the 19th Century, says:
As a participant and dispenser of divine influence, he shows himself among human affairs a true connecting medium and visible messenger between heaven and earth, a man, therefore, not only permitted to enter the sphere of poetry, but to dwell in the purest centre thereof, perhaps the most inspired of all teachers since the Apostles.

Martin Luther’s teachings went this way, as Luther the reformer had become Luther the revolutionary:
· The Bible is the only source of faith; it contains the inspiration of God.
· Faith alone can work justification; man is saved by confidently believing that God will pardon him. This faith not only includes a full pardon of sin, but also an unconditional release from its penalties.
· The hierarchy and priesthood are not Divinely instituted or necessary, and ceremonial or exterior worship is not essential or useful. Ecclesiastical vestments, pilgrimages, mortifications, monastic vows, prayers for the dead, intercession of saints, avail the soul nothing.
· All sacraments, with the exception of baptism, Holy Eucharist, and penance, are rejected. A powerful theological concept and attitude, Luther’s influence of reformation remains with Protestants and Catholics today. The Reformation is an ongoing movement, even this more than 500 years later. The Anglican Church, with its middle way of Protestant/catholicism, emphasizes in focus the sacraments of baptism and Holy Eucharist. In the case of Eucharist, since the Anglican of today and since 1979 has emphasized it (in specific, the Protestant Episcopal Church USA)—Holy Eucharist every week! Baptism as a celebration and important emphasis for the “Priesthood of All Believers,” as well! No wonder we have a Feast day celebrating Martin Luther in our Church lives.
· The priesthood is universal; every Christian may assume it. A body of specially trained and ordained men to dispense the mysteries of God is needless and a usurpation.
· There is no visible Church or one specially established by God whereby men may work out their salvation.

Whether you believe all or part of Martin Luther’s statements, his influence and thought, his ideas and faith, his life of believing changed the world.
We remember Martin Luther in hymn. He always wrote the words, sometimes the music itself, and often took the music from popular songs of his day. His most well known hymns:

· Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
· Saviour of the Nations, Come
· From Heaven Above to Earth I Come
· Christ Jesus Lay in Death's Strong Bands
· Come, Spirit of God, Holy Lord
· Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word

God in history is enacted by the story of Martin Luther, as are his hymns.

Amen.

He is with us even after the end of our days

Homily for Aldersly Garden Retirement Community
outreach Church, skilled and acute ward (ECHMM)
Sunday, August 8, 1999
Matthew 14:22-33

Homily by Peter Menkin


Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. Matthew 14:22

What is most amazing to me in this reading of the Gospel is the presence of the Holy Spirit. When I read Matthew, and that is our reading today, I find that it contains a dismissal of the crowds by our Lord. The joy of the message of this part of the life of Jesus Christ is that he has in his great love left us with a promise to be with us, and to know him as the Lord. We are fortunate that we may allow ourselves the pleasure to continue in prayer with the understanding that the disciple's, too, were many times in doubt and confusion. Even Peter, who failed so many times in his faith, was heartened by the willing hand that Jesus reaches out to us in those times when we are alone. This aloneness that is experienced from time to time is described in a poem by the present Pope, John Paul II. His book of poetry called The Place Within is part of my summer reading program.

Like the disciples, and like many of us experience, these times when the Lord has left us are moments, seemingly hollow without hope. In fact, as we live them we live them as they are hollow and without hope.

Let us seek the Lord. The Good News is Christ gives of himself to us to know him as a way in our journey to Easter, and the life to come. It is by the very "sparks" of His [as capital "H" for God the Father] mouth that we are saved. When we are alone, or seem to be dismissed by God, and are hollow so that there is so little for us, the reality is that the Holy Spirit is available.

And this too: The Spirit of Christ, a living presence that clearly declares he is with us even after the end of our days, or the end of Church today, or the hollowness that we experience at times in our lives. Christ is for us in our lives and in the time of our death. This is how we get to know Him as Lord, through these passages and ways, these venues, and sparks, these even "empty shores" when the slightest weight is too much for any of us. Like Peter, we walk on the water with Christ for he is with us and reaches out his hand to us to help us along the ways we must go as we hasten to our heavenly home.

The Place Within: The Poetry of Pope John Paul II, translated by Jerzy Peterkiewicz, "Schizotymik: the Polish title refers to a term in Ernst Kretschmer's typology, denoting a person immersed in himself and isolated." Pg. 79.
The Place Within: The Poetry of Pope John Paul II, translated by Jerzy Peterkiewicz "There are moments, hollow without hope;/ will ever light up a thought,/ ever strike warm sparks from my heart?" pg. 79.
The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocrypha . Jesus… "Was far from the land, Greek literally 'was many stadia from the land'… 'in the fourth watch of the night' (the fourth watch was from 3 to 6 a.m.)" from the notes pg. 22 NT Matthew 14:22-36.

Photographs by Henry Worthy, Camaldoli Oblate, London.

--Peter Menkin, Obl Cam OSB