3 minute read
Finding The Word in Words
by Nicholas Samaras
The “trick” of poetry (notwithstanding epic poetry) is the ability to fit a universe into one page.
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Poetry is the art of containing universal truths in the briefest of space, extolling clarity and artistry. With that in mind, here is a brief, poetic consideration of finding the Word in words:
Perhaps, some may be familiar with Tennyson’s famous line, “With no language but a cry.”
Perhaps, some may be familiar with documented stories of Heaven or of earthly encounters with forms of Divinity (saints, angels, the Lord), in which communication has been described as telepathic. But still, even in considering telepathy, even in considering the limitations of language,
there is no faith without language. There is no communication without language translating thought, knowledge, experience, wisdom – all moving intention from one person to another, one soul to another. Whether in this world or in a spiritual realm, all communications, emotions, and knowledge are translated through transmission and comprehension: hence, words – our symbology that conveys meaning. Even our inarticulate cries convey meaning via expression.
Photo by Kim Piotrowski
This is why the value of words, enabling people to communicate intention to each other.
Even God Himself speaks to people, in the Bible. Therefore, it is wisdom for us to value the Word that has been described as containing all words – which is everything we have in order to acquire knowledge and wisdom. We need words to get us through words to reach stillness. And the stillness of being (that God extols) can only be shared with the expression of words, the way we are able to understand, clarify, and grow. We need language to get us through misunderstanding, to define and refine whatever the growth message may be. Only through language may we come to clarity and understanding.
This is why it’s not enough to read Scripture; it’s enough to reflect upon Scripture, to come to its understanding in how it may help our lives and living circumstances, how it may help us be better. Thus, we may realise that language is not only communication, but language is communion – with a sacred element to it.
If we take time to consider the elements of God, we must realise, first, that everything in creation is based on dialogue. The nature of God is dialogue. The nature of prayer is dialogue. Honestly, we may then find that there is no such thing as monologue, because everything invites a response. Everything offered invites a receipt. Consider this distilled excerpt from a writing that exemplifies this understanding:
If you understand being as the conscious atoms of your breath, then you understand God.
If you understand God as the dialogue of love, then you understand Jesus Christ.
If you understand the transfiguration of love, then you understand the Holy Spirit.
What is love but the desire to give and to share? Then, you understand the Holy Trinity.
Considering the Nature of God
From the Holy Trinity, we are offered everything in existence, and it is up to us to reflect upon this and be willing to respond. Even a silent gesture is communicative; we’ve all experienced understanding through witnessing a meaningful look.
What we have from the living Word is to be found in the assemblies of words. All we have to do is pick up the Bible, read it, and reflect upon it: it’s the only way we can enact the text.
Here is a final offering, in poetic form, that deals with the idea of offer and receipt:
Two for the sharing, the pulse in unison. Two for the dialogue implied in it all.
Two for the lips that press to pronounce words. One for response and one for the call.
One for agreement on what words signify. Two for the language that answers accord.
One for the writing and one for the reading. Two for the grasping, the holding in turn.
One for the murmur that trembles the blue air. Two for the hands that mirror in prayer.
One for the lamplight, one for shared silence. Your heart and my heart, the sacred text of this.
Nicholas Samaras is the author of American Psalm, World Psalm, from Ashland Poetry Press (2014), available through Amazon and local bookstores.
