#malcolm guite

Galahad and the Grail

Here is a sonnet composed by Malcolm Guite in honour of the original St. Valentine. I notice some FB posts implying that as an early Christian martyr he has nothing to do with Romantic Love and should be dissociated from it. I believe that on the contrary there is every reason why he should be the patron saint of Love and this sonnet explores why. As always you can hear the poem by clicking on…

I feel my weakness. All my bones are vexed

And all the faith in me seems worn away

As though I've lost love's memory. Perplexed

By the false complexities, I mime faith's part.

I keep the book but cannot read the text.

Unless you come, and write it in my heart,

Unless you help me read it through my tears

And hear me out, and, hearing, heal my hurt.

How could I think you punished me? My fears

Just magnified the shadows that I cast

Till you were lost in shadows too. Love hears

My cries and clears the shadows of my past

Flinging them back before his growing light

Until I recognise his face at last.