Poetry in Motion

A favorite place I found where the little road became a winding stair with amazing arches

One of my favorite forms of literature is poetry, savoring its gentle rhythms naturally seems to slowly ease one into a depth of meaning far deeper than the common sentence structure can allow.  From children's whimsical poetry to epic poems that tell grandiose stories, to romance and prophetic poems, all awaken someplace special in my soul.  In September we will worship utilizing biblical poetry drenched with meaning, from Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs and the prophets.  Thus the mind spins of poetry, poetic thoughts and poetic places.
On my trip to Italy I had one place I wanted to see almost more than any other, the town of Todi, where the poet Jacopone da Todi hailed from.  Jacopone was a Franciscan who did his best to live into St. Francis' ascetic ways, but was deeply troubled by the transition of the Franciscan Order after the master's death into a more worldly way of being.  However, given his openness of faith, Jacopone requested from the pope that there be (2) Franciscan orders instead of the one, with one being more dedicated to the Rule of St. Francis and one being the more modern/worldly one that had evolved in the decades since Francis' passing.  The pope refused, and Jacopone, not only a good monk, but also a good poet responded in poetic form...whereby he was promptly excommunicated from the church.    It is fun to root for the rebel, and rather romantic to admire the rebel poet, and when in Italy that seemed so appropriate...
With great curiosity I planned for my trip to Todi, requesting the most scenic driving directions from my friend Martin, and immediately insulting him by asking to travel a different way than he suggested.  But being a gentleman he gave me alternative directions and advised I watch for town signs (not as easy as it may seem).  Off I ventured on the rainy day toward a town I would find buried in clouds perched high on top of a hill, out of view from the valley below.  One of the things I noted while in Italy was how unique each hilltop village was, for their unity of form, their function and details were characterized differently through architecture and building materials.  Todi seemed so ripe for being the birthplace of a poet and man of faith.
Of the many villages I visited Todi had the most uniquely tiny roads and walkways.  I even heard one American tourist say, "whar's Louise? She must be takin' more pictures of the damn alleys."  I felt that poor man saw no beauty where Louise and I found mesmerizing entryways to the beautiful unknown... winding walkways that led to conversations with a sweet man walking his dog, finding hidden chapels and museums holding a depth of meaning.  And views, views that once the clouds flew away bespoke of the beauty of the Tiber river valley that my friend Martin had suggested I drive (I would return home that way).  It was an enchanting little village with art, sacred and mystery around every little corner, a perfect place for poetry of the every spinning heart and imagination to take place.
To create art must be aware of beauty, mystery and that which is greater than oneself, Todi is a perfect setting for all this, from natural beauty to the archetecture that invites the mind to wander as the feet must to get from one place to another through many entrances, archways, vistas and people living so densly they must be in fullness of relationship to survive.
Todi inivted me to contemplate how to open up to see the sacred in surprising ways, to live looking for whatever was around the next corner or through the next passageway.  It is an invitation to the intimate, who is going to be around the next corner?  What is going to appear down the narrow street/passage to the left, so the right?  Will it be a musty chapel with sweet art, a river valley opening up in grandure before you as the clouds part, or a puppy jumping all over and licking your face?  How to revel in the joy of the moment of sweet surprise, moments of grace and beauty is our call, to be awed by the wonder of God's creation and translate the beauty for others.  Jacopone da Todi did this so well, expressing in his poetry his awakening to the love of God.  How can we share the awesome wonder, the invitation to all???

The cute puppy greeted me with kisses, and his owner kind words as I roamed the wet and beautiful streets of Todi

Love, infusing with light all who share Your splendor (from In Praise of Divine Love)
Love, infusing with light all who share Your splendor,
You teach us the true light
Is not to be found in the light of this world.
Light that enlightens, light that teaches,
He who is not illumined by You
Does not reach the fullness of love.
Love, You give light
To the intellect in darkness
And illumine the Object of love.
Love, Your ardor,
Which enflames the heart,
Unites it with the Incarnate One.