CMP Review 2024-07-28

Six years ago I invited readers of Charlotte Mason’s poetry to consider and reflect on a small set of poems I selected for Lent. I shared my own reflections on a poem each week. Now in our journey through the sixth volume of Mason’s poetry, we have reached her piece entitled “Restlessness.” Here’s how I described it those years ago:

The haunting way this poem brings out the feeling of restlessness is made all the more powerful to me by how clearly it rings true in my experience. “We wake in the night watches, And fear and shame wake too”—what a sad state when one awakens in the dark and feels palpable fear and shame in that same darkness? One fear, two fears are tolerable. But “A thousand little fears”? Of course we then shake like the leaves of an aspen tree. So many fears we could never control them. Indeed nothing under the sun could answer us.

And yet this poem indicates that amidst fear and shame, there is a place of peace. But not just any kind of peace. The final image of the poem—that of a child falling asleep—gives me a pang each time I read it. Could such peace be possible for me? Really?

As I read my words from six years ago, the questions still resonate with me. But again and again I have been pointed to the answer Mason provided. After all, it is the answer Jesus provided. “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Can I have the faith and trust of a child? Poems like this one from Miss Mason point the way. Read or hear it here.

@artmiddlekauff