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The Familiar Angels of Handel’s ‘Messiah’

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Messiah (Christmas Portions)
 
by Mark Doty
 
A little heat caught
in gleaming rags,
in shrouds of veil,
   torn and sun-shot swaddlings:
 
   over the Methodist roof,
two clouds propose a Zion
of their own, blazing
   (colors of tarnish on copper)
 
 

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Here is a link to Mark Doty reading and talking about the poem on PBS. It's a lovely segment—with singing! Also, if you like choirs and choral music, you might enjoy Stacy Horn's book Imperfect Harmony: Finding Happiness Singing with Others.

The Poetry Friday roundup for December 6th is at Carol Labuzzetta's blog, The Apples in My Orchard.

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  1. Linda Baie Avatar
    Linda Baie

    Oh, my, this is lovely and brings us to “see” as we listen, too. Thanks, Susan. My brother is his church’s choir director & I know he will love it!

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  2. Sarah Grace Tuttle Avatar
    Sarah Grace Tuttle

    Thank you for introducing me to this poem Susan! I sang in choirs for years, and we performed selections from “Messiah” regularly. This brought me right back… and those final lines are fabulous!

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  3. Rose Cappelli Avatar
    Rose Cappelli

    Thank you for this lovely post, Susan. The poem is a beautiful tribute to all those community choirs who lift their voices in song and praise.

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  4. Carol Labuzzetta Avatar
    Carol Labuzzetta

    Handel’s Messiah is one of my favorite pieces of music, Susan. Thank you for reminding me to listen to it through this poem. It will surely lift my spirits and fill me with joy. Don’t you just love the Poetry Foundation where you can look for what you want or be inspired by what you read? I do. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Susan Thomsen Avatar
    Susan Thomsen

    Linda, Sarah Grace, Rose, and Carol, thank you for stopping by! I have had a similar experience listening to a friend’s choir singing a Benjamin Britten piece. It was SO amazing and uplifting. The sound that people can create just floored me. I’m going to add in a link to Mark Doty talking about this poem on PBS.

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  6. Tabatha Avatar
    Tabatha

    Wow! This is one to re-read. Thanks, Susan.

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  7. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    You’re welcome, Tabatha. I agree!

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  8. Mary Lee Avatar
    Mary Lee

    What a poem. I was right there in the pews watching the ordinary townspeople transformed by the music. The turn in this line is perfection: “—but the chorus, all together,” That’s really what it’s ALL about, right? Not the soloists, but the chorus.

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  9. Molly Hogan Avatar
    Molly Hogan

    What a fabulous poem, Susan! I agree with Tabatha that it’s one to reread. I love how the author captured the familiar people from his life, and then described their transformation during the communal singing. Choral music has such power.

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  10. Margaret Simon Avatar
    Margaret Simon

    Choir is my love language to God. I have been singing in choirs all my life and as you may remember, my mother did, too. When I was with her last month, my sister played the LSU Alma Mater and asked Mom to sing along. She lifted her head and sang out a perfect note.
    I saw Mark Doty at the Dodge Poetry Festival many years ago. He’s a kind of gentle giant.

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  11. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Mary Lee, yes, the “all together” moment. Love it.
    Molly, don’t you love that transformation? A number of years ago I discovered that our mail carrier was also a well-respected wildlife photographer. I was amazed!
    Margaret, I do remember that about your mom! You and I may even have overlapped time in Don Kilmer’s junior choir. I was not a great singer, but enjoyed being part of it.

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