Today, I have been thinking of these words from the end of Eliot's Little Gidding:
With the drawing of this Love and the voice of this Calling
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Through the unknown, unremembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning;
At the source of the longest river
The voice of the hidden waterfall
And the children in the apple-tree
Not known, because not looked for
But heard, half-heard, in the stillness
Between two waves of the sea.
Quick now, here, now, always—
A condition of complete simplicity
(Costing not less than everything)
And all shall be well and
All manner of thing shall be well
When the tongues of flame are in-folded
Into the crowned knot of fire
And the fire and the rose are one.
Happy Easter to everyone.
Thank you M. I love both the T.S. Eliot and the image Mary of the Annunciation. Alongside that one in Durham Cathedral there is also a remarkable and wonderful sculpture of the Pieta by the same local artist. Have just returned from the Easter Vigil and consequently am intoxicated with the joy of Easter Alleluias. A joy filled and peaceful Easter to you and all who visit Random distractions.
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter, Crinny! Have you visited Durham Cathedral or, like me, do you have to be satisfied with photographs of these lovely sculptures? I had hoped to get to Durham when we visited Lindisfarne a few years ago, but we ran out of time.
ReplyDeleteA very happy Easter M. Just about to head off to leafy Buckinghamshire - where there is snow. A bit of a blizzard here during the night and first thing - but now just wet slush.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever been to the parish church in East Coker (Somerset), where T S Eliot is interred? (There's also a memorial to him.) Maybe we should have a bloggers' day out ...? When the weather improves, of course.
Durham Cathedral is stunning but probably too far for a day trip from Devon!
Have a lovely visit with your daughter, D. No snow or slush here but miserable, grey gloom, not at all Easter weather.
ReplyDeleteA trip to East Coker sounds great. Let's hope spring starts soon.
Yes indeed, I have been to Durham Cathedral; a gem not to be missed. The whole area of Tyneside is steeped in history and the ruins of The Venerable Bede's Monastery in the grounds of St Paul's church at Jarrow are alive with ancient and benign Spirits. There is to be found the chair of Bede in which he would have sat to write the History of the English Speaking People. It is just there in the chancel waiting to be sat upon – but I didn't dare! At the cathedral there is a fascinating permanent exhibition containing artefacts from the time of Cuthbert and you would be particularly interested in the ves…..But why spoil it for you! You must make your own discoveries. You can also visit the Angel of the North and like it or not, be impressed by this extraordinary instillation. You would be very welcome at the home of the other Angel of the North, our hospitable mutual friend at Heburn. You and D could have a Blogger's week end. Now there's an enticing prospect!
ReplyDeleteThe Edinburgh branch of the family has a weekend cottage overlooking the Holy Island and we've spent a few days there. Tanith was offered a place at Durham University but turned it down when she learned she would be in an all-women college! So, I've almost had opportunities but never quite made it. It's definitely on the To Be Visited list.
ReplyDeleteI've got so many lists now I can't keep up - TBR, TBD and now TBV.