For Victor Hugo (Sunday Psalms Series)

Sunday Psalms: Fictional Narratives & Poetry Inspired by the Psalms, Proverbs, & Other Biblical Works

From our more recent posts, it’s probably obvious that Ben and I have been reading quite a bit of poetry. Our favorites artists include Mary Oliver and Louise Glück. We’ve come to see how this style of writing has the ability to evoke images that stir us to notice the world around us. Sometimes, a few simple lines do more stirring than an entire novel.

Today’s post is a very simple poem that is, in part, inspired by a famous quote from Victor Hugo’s essay on William Shakespeare. In 1864, he wrote the following*:*also translated “Music expresses that which cannot be said & which cannot be suppressed”.

I’ve mulled over this quote for many months and have written a poetic response below. Thanks, as always, for reading. ~ Heidi

For Victor Hugo

Sing with me,
Sing alone…
Fight for hidden language
Nestled deep in man’s soul.
Heart strings, release!
Pluck your tune for these attentive ears
And I will listen with a melody of my own.

Sing aloud unto God our strength: Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Raise a song, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast-day. Psalm 81:1-3 (ASV)

Question to Ponder: When has a piece of music stirred you?

Song Recommendation: I Dreamed a Dream (Anne Hathaway, Les Misérables)

-Read Previous Sunday Psalms from Season Two: Episode 1, Episode 2, Episode 3, Episode 4, Episode 5,Episode 6, Episode 7, Episode 8, Episode 9, Episode 10, Episode 11, Episode 12, Episode 13, Episode 14, Episode 15, Episode 16,  Episode 17, Episode 18, Episode 19, Episode 20, Episode 21, Episode 22, Episode 23, Episode 24, Episode 25, Episode 26, Episode 27, Episode 28, Episode 29, Episode 30, Episode 31, Episode 32, Episode 33,  Episode 34, Episode 35, Episode 36, Episode 37, Episode 38, Episode 39

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Embracing life’s wilderness through music & community

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Written by Heidi Beth Sadler, Inspired by Victor Hugo & Psalm 81. Copyright © 2017 Benjamin & Heidi Sadler, All Rights Reserved.

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