Integrity

The Guideposts senior editor shares poems about a life of honesty.

Here’s a poem I came across:

“First Leaf” by Lia Purpura

That yellow
was a falling off,
a fall
for once I saw
coming—
it could
in its stillness
still be turned from,
it was not
yet ferocious,
its hold drew me,
was a shiny switchplate
in the otherwise dark,
rash, ongoing green,
a green so hungry
for light and air that
part gave up,
went alone,
chose to leave,
and by choosing
embellishment
got seen.

It reminded me of this poem:

“l(a” by e. e. cummings

l(a

le
af
fa

ll

s)
one
l

iness

Which reminded me of George Herbert, a seventeenth-century devotional poet, some of whose poems look like this:

“Easter Wings”

Lord, who createdst man in wealth and store,
        Though foolishly he lost the same,
                Decaying more and more
                        Till he became
                            Most poor:
                          O let me rise
                 As larks, harmoniously
           And sing this day thy victories:
  Then shall the fall further the flight in me.

       My tender age in sorrow did begin;
      And still with sicknesses and shame
              Thou didst so punish sin,
                     That I became
                         Most thin.
                         With thee
                     Let me combine,
            And feel this day thy victory;
           For, if I imp my wing on thine,
   Affliction shall advance the flight in me.

I used to dislike poems like these. I thought they were silly, too obvious. Now I like them. I study them. Maybe it’s because, now older, a parent, now taking faith seriously, I know how hard it is to match form with function, to live a life that looks like these poems. A life of integrity. Is there anything harder, or more necessary, in the life of faith?

Jim Hinch is a senior editor at GUIDEPOSTS. Reach him at jhinch@guideposts.org.
 

Share this story

Extraordinary Women of the Bible

Their Lives Changed the World… Their Stories Will Change Your Heart.

There are many women in Scripture who do extraordinary things. Women whose lives and actions were pivotal in changing the course of history. In this exciting ALL NEW historical biblical fiction series, you can shed new light on the stories of the most extraordinary women such as Ruth, Elizabeth, Deborah, Rahab, Bathsheba, Mary, and many more.

Start today with book # 1 Highly Favored: Mary’s Story. Get Two FREE GIFTS – Lovely Tote and a Silver-tone Scripture Pendant, yours free with a hardcover or series purchase.

Read More and Order
Faith Over Fear Right Rail Ad 300x600

Community Newsletter

Get More Inspiration Delivered to Your Inbox

Scroll to Top