George Herbert Poetry Night: June 13 at 7p

George Herbert (1593-1633) was a Welsh-born English poet, orator, and Anglican priest. He is best known for his collection of religious poems, "The Temple," which was published posthumously in 1633. Herbert's poetry is characterized by its deep spiritual devotion, intricate metaphors, and innovative use of form. He is considered one of the major metaphysical poets, a group that includes John Donne and Andrew Marvell, known for their intellectual exploration of religious and philosophical themes. Herbert's poems often grapple with questions of faith, doubt, and the relationship between the individual and the divine. His work has had a profound influence on subsequent generations of poets, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important devotional poets in the English language. We will be hosting an event to honor his poetry. This event will be held Thursday, June 13 at 7p. Weather permitting, it will be in the garden, but if we need to move it inside, we will be in the Annex.Those who come are welcome to bring their favorite Herbert poem with them and we will read it out loud. If you would like to bring a poem, click the button below and you’ll find a Google Sheet where you can sign up to bring a poem.

For a taste of his poetry, check out his poem “The Altar”:

A broken ALTAR, Lord, thy servant rears,

 Made of a heart and cemented with tears:

  Whose parts are as thy hand did frame;

No workman's tool hath touch'd the same.

                   A HEART alone

                   Is such a stone,

                  As nothing but

                  Thy pow'r doth cut.

                  Wherefore each part

                  Of my hard heart

                  Meets in this frame,

                  To praise thy name:

       That if I chance to hold my peace,

 These stones to praise thee may not cease.

   Oh, let thy blessed SACRIFICE be mine,

     And sanctify this ALTAR to be thine.