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October 22, 2004
Ringbearers IV
These are the final poems in the Ringbearer cycle. And they are my favorite, perhaps because Sam is my favorite character in the stories. He is simple and yet deep, deep in loyalty and faithfulness. He is unlearned, yet full of wonder and curiosity, that lead him to experience piercing joys, and also pain. Of all the hobbits, he perhaps best represents the ordinary life of most Christians;to be obedient when called upon in situations big or small, and accept and enjoy the blessings of hearth and home, while keeping ever mindful that our hearts' true home is across the sea.
Frodo was called upon to embark on a different course. He, almost like a missionary or priest (or in some ways like the great High Priest Himself), is called to bear great suffering, even special suffering, which in essence precludes him from being able to experience the domestic joys that Samwise does at the end of the tale. In some ways it is tragic, yet gloriously tragic. He does experience great joy in the Shire, if only vicariously, and is given the gift of partaking in deep healing and joy sooner than his friends.
This is discourse is not meant to bifurcate Christians into ordinary and super Christians. That dichotomy is false; we are each called to obedience. Yet, I think it is clear that our calls may, indeed, be radically different, and some (Paul, Francis, Theresa, to name only a few of many) may be called to be holy, suffering, wanderers, in ways above the common lot. In a conversation last night with my good friend Kraus, we each wondered whether we thought we were more likely to be like Frodo or Sam. The answer we each gave to that question ultimately is not so important. What is important is that we each accept whatever call we are given with obedience.
Shire Gossip Concerning Sam
And did some laugh to hear the Gaffer's son
So named? How could one born to earth and root
And sod claim such a name? Such names are won.
And only through great toil come to their fruit.
Why should a gard'ner ever tend to more
Than to roots of glorious taters. Thanks be
For those, and fruit and flow'rs. So why put store
In more, in your fancies wild and airy?
Dear, simple Samwise you, of all, should know
Strange, wondrous weeds will grow from wand'ring seeds.
Lad, be planted here. Think of only how
To care for Roses. Have no other need
For wizard dreams and mountains cold and Elves,
For old, fool Hobbits who forget themselves.
S A M W I S E
Gandalf to Samwise at the Grey Havens
Dear, Samwise, you now see you are well named
True wisdom ever shoots from lowly roots
Of those who faithful stand and seek no fame
You now belong to taste its well-earned fruits.
Your love of tree and earth, all living things,
Of holy Elves and song, and wizard tales,
Your guileless keeping of the guilty ring,
Your simple wisdom praised in Lorien's vale,
By Lorien's glorious Lady and her gifts,
Bring to the Shire its Healing and its Rest.
With Rose and Oak now golden Mallorn lifts
Its leaves to bless and Elanor, gold-tressed,
Your joy begins. So, Ringbearer, through thee
To Iluvatar may praise and glory be.
Random Poetry | By jackdas | 9:10 PM
