Genesis Poem by Patrick Dennis

'In the beginning was the Word': John 1: 1

Poetry is the language of the right word in the right place;
nor more nor less. Poetry is harmony of sounds
ringing a pure tone like the clanging chance of bells.
It is the artifice of the Word-Wonder
who spoke in the beginning all things that are,
and the fragmentary abandoned cry.
It is beauty in speech and a heart pure for beauty
to take hold of and reach
beyond the turmoil of this mortal coil.
Poetry is the Mighty Power of the spoken stars
refracted into syllables and coloured light.

The choirs of angels chant poems of praise
to Beauty's Self and Beauty's Giver;
and for Him they gather scattered syllables of song
from men who have their genesis in song.