Normally, the birthday of CS Lewis would not be on my radar. Thanks to a fellow blogger who has created a Lewis reading event that I can’t wait to participate in, I have a reason to simultaneously acknowledge his date of birth, mention the reading event and share a poem of his I love.
Chris of Calmgrove has generously agreed to host a reading of CS Lewis’s, The Chronicles of Narnia, one book a month beginning this December. On the last Friday of the month (for December it will be the last Thursday) he will put up a post on his blog with some questions to prompt a discussion in the comment section. For the reading schedule and more information you can go here. I hope you’ll consider participating, even if you only want to join in once or twice. I am so looking forward to hearing all the different approaches to these books!
Interestingly, and it may just be me, but I don’t think of CS Lewis as a poet though I have not researched this. As a night-sky lover his poem, The Meteorite, popped up one day and became a favorite. It’s not the best poem ever written and I think it is a bit crudely shaped, but the imagery is vivid and the words a literary mix of science and nature, which I very much like. So happy birthday Mr. Lewis, I hope you know that all your various works are still being read and loved by a multitude across generations and continents.
The Meteorite, by CS Lewis
Among the hills a meteorite
Lies huge; and moss has overgrown,
And wind and rain with touches light
Made soft, the contours of the stone.
Thus easily can Earth digest
A cinder of sidereal fire,
And make her translunary guest
The native of an English shire.
Nor is it strange these wanderers
Find in her lap their fitting place,
For every particle that’s hers
Came at the first from outer space.
All that is Earth has once been sky;
Down from the sun of old she came,
Or from some star that travelled by
Too close to his entangling flame.
Hence, if belated drops yet fall
From heaven, on these her plastic power
Still works as once it worked on all
The glad rush of the golden shower.
Relevant Obscurity 
I, too, did not know Lewis wrote poetry. I guess we all are poets. We just have to share the poetry within us. Some good, some mediocre. Enjoy your reading through The Chronicles of Narnia. I can’t commit myself bc I’m a flake, but I would like to re-read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe some day.
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Ruth, I have been thinking about you. I couldn’t find your blog anywhere and now I see you have a new one. 👍
The Narniathon is a bit of a commitment, but at least the books are short!
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When I was in my teens, I discovered the narrative poems of C.S. Lewis and have loved them ever since.
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That is so good to hear, Jeanne. I will look for them.
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An interesting little poem from Lewis, Laurie, I agree not in the stratosphere as regards quality but definitely workmanlike. And thanks for linking to my post!
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And thanks again, Chris. 👍
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