John Donne Appreciation Day

I have always been an English nerd. In sixth grade, my bus was the first to the school, so I had nearly an hour to fill before school started. I spent it in the library. Every day. I made friends with the librarian. I wrote her a story for Christmas. And that's pretty much how it's been.

However, while I am an English nerd, and I love to write poetry, I have had to learn to appreciate several important and revered poets. In my sophomore year at BYU, I had the privilege to take a class from a professor who looks like Madam Hooch, but is really named Nancy Christiansen. She taught me to not only understand the metaphysical poets, but to love them. I learned that religious poetry written in the 1500s can be spiritually moving and applicable in my life now.

Below is a sonnet written by John Donne. Read it. Read it through once just to get the gist. Read it again, slowly. And maybe again. I think it's pretty great if you give it a chance.

Holy Sonnet 14

Batter my heart, three-person'd God, for you
As yet but knock, breathe, shine, and seek to mend;
That I may rise and stand, o'erthrow me, and bend
Your force to break, blow, burn, and make me new.
I, like an usurp'd town to'another due,
Labor to'admit you, but oh, to no end;
Reason, your viceroy in me, me should defend,
But is captiv'd, and proves weak or untrue.
Yet dearly'I love you, and would be lov'd fain,
But am betroth'd unto your enemy;
Divorce me,'untie or break that knot again,
Take me to you, imprison me, for I,
Except you'enthrall me, never shall be free,
Nor ever chaste, except you ravish me.