A Poem I've Always Liked

When I was in my junior year of college, I was surprised to have an acquaintance from the theater department come to my dorm room one evening and ask me for feedback on a poem he was preparing to perform for a class. We were friendly acquaintances, but had never had a one on one conversation before. I wish I could remember why he said he wanted my feedback. Maybe he and others were more aware of my spiritual questing than I'd realized. (This was a year or so after my existential crisis, and I was deeply engaged in figuring out what I did -- or did not -- believe.)

The poem he shared went straight to me heart. I don't think that I could now put words to all the feelings it aroused in me, but the desperate earnestness, awe and urgency with which Tom performed it was quite compelling. I'm not sure if it will translate here and now, but I thought of it while working on "The Lamp and the Mirror" and was able to find a copy online.


What Thomas Said in a Pub

I saw God! Do you doubt it?
Do you dare to doubt it?
I saw the Almighty Man! His hand
Was resting on a mountain! And
He looked upon the World, and all about it.
I saw Him plainer than you see me now
--You mustn't doubt it!

He was not satisfied!
His look was all dissatisfied!
His beard swung on a wind, far out of sight
Behind the world's curve! And there was light
Most fearful from His forehead! And He sighed--
--That star went always wrong, and from the start
I was dissatisfied!--

He lifted up His hand!
I say He heaved a dreadful hand
Over the spinning earth! Then I said, --Stay,
You must not strike it, God! I'm in the way!
And I will never move form where I stand!--
He said,--Dear child, I feared that you were dead,--
. . . And stayed His hand!


----James Stephens