Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844 – 1889) was a Jesuit priest and also a poet.
He was a poetic innovator, who tried to praise God through a vivid use of imagery and the natural world. While I find many of his poems too religious, I do love his magical way with words.
Here’s his poem Spring which was written in May 1877 when he was a theology student in North Wales:
Spring by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Nothing is so beautiful as Spring –
When weeds, in wheels, shoot long and lovely and lush;
Thrush’s eggs look little low heavens, and thrush
Through the echoing timber does so rinse and wring
The ear, it strikes like lightnings to hear him sing;
The glassy peartree leaves and blooms, they brush
The descending blue; that blue is all in a rush
With richness; the racing lambs too have fair their fling.
What is all this juice and all this joy?
A strain of the earth’s sweet being in the beginning
In Eden garden. – Have, get, before it cloy,
Before it cloud, Christ, lord, and sour with sinning,
Innocent mind and Mayday in girl and boy,
Most, O maid’s child, thy choice and worthy the winning.
The poem juxtaposes the lush beauties of spring with a call for Christ’s protection of innocence and it recalls the Garden of Eden.
It is a Petrarchan sonnet with a distinct separation between the octet and the sestet, with the first being an evocation of spring’s loveliness, and the second an address to Christ. The season is evoked with strong and specific imagery to make it come alive for the reader. Then the poet moves on to link that season with the original innocence and perfection of Eden, and then comes a prayer to Christ (identified as “maid’s child”) to save the innocence of children before it becomes corrupted by sin. He implies that children are in the ‘spring’ of their lives and that their innocence needs to be cherished and saved.
Hopkins uses such rich language and imagery. He appeals to the sense of sound (“does so rinse and wring the ear”), to our sense of colour (Thrush’s eggs look like “low heavens”) and to the sight (“racing lambs”). His version of spring seems all-encompassing and utterly joyful.
You can listen to the poem read by Dr Iain McGilchrist:
Have you enjoyed this poem? I’d love to know what you think, let me know by leaving a comment.
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Dominic Lehane
Could it be that in the last line when the poet says ‘your choice’ he is referring to Mathew 18:3 ‘unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of God’?
Is the poet trying to tell us to become like children again?
Susannah Fullerton
Perhaps he felt, as did William Blake, that children are closer to god in their innocence and freshness.
David Castle
I agree with all of the above. Poetry like this is meant to be read aloud. The sound trumps the meaning and that seems good to me. Continue to love your poetry selections. The more Hopkins the better.
Susannah Fullerton
Yes, all poetry is best when read aloud, so long as it is read well. Glad you enjoyed this one.
Libby Hathorn
Loved hearing and reading those singing words- and must admit some of his phrases have made their way into my own work (attributed of course)- does so rinse and ring the ear-and like former commentator adore Pied Beauty and The Windhover.
Isn’t it wonderful and curious how some poems therefore poets’ work never dies?
Libby Hathorn
Susannah Fullerton
It is a beautiful poem, isn’t it. I hope you enjoy all my poetry choices throughout the year, and find lots of wonderful books to read. Happy New Year.
Libby Hathorn
Loved hearing and reading those singing words- and must admit some of his phrases have made their way into my own work (attributed of course)- does so rinse and ring the ear-and like forwer commentator adore Pied Beauty and The Windhover.
Isn’t it wonderful and curious how some poems therefor poets’ work never dies?
Libby Hathorn
Lynn Sitsky
Thank you for reminding me of the poetry of Gerard Manley Hopkins, it is a while since I have read any. I agree with all of the above and with you that I am not so keen on the very religious ones. Two of my favourites are Pied Beauty and The Windhover.
Jane Smith
Thoroughly delicious to read, to visualise and the hear. Thank you.
Susannah Fullerton
Yes, a gorgeous poem. So glad you enjoyed it.
Lindy Brown
I have always enjoyed G Manley Hopkins poems since I read them in high school. His choice of vivid imagery appeals to all the senses. Thanks for sharing, Susannah.