Lent with R S Thomas: Favourite Poems 4. The Uninvited Guest to an Inadequate Table.

This poem is virtually a mosaic of biblical echoes, whether the vocabulary or the imagery. In two stanzas of 20 words each, Thomas gives a rationale for prayer that is devoid of sentimental spirituality, eschews hard edged pragmatism, is impatient with otherworldly escapism. Because even if eyes are closed to the world, it is this act of sensory asceticism which ignites the bush, signals the presence, commands the removal of shoes from holy ground.  Strength found in acknowledged weakness, the burning that doesn't consume, the uninvited guest who shares the modest table, these are profound biblical allusions to the ways God is encountered. This short poem distils so much into the concentrate of prayer, and acts as both invitation and anticipation of an encounter with one who, knowing our weakness and inadequacy, comes as guest, uninvited, but in the end, welcome.

When we are weak, we are

strong. When our eyes close

on the world, then somewhere

within us the bush

 

burns. When we are poor

and aware of the inadequacy

of our table, it is to that

uninvited the guest comes.

Comments

[Gabrielle Dean]

Thank you so much for this blog. I love R S Thomas' s poems and have used quite a number myself in my Lent reflections which I contribute to our Discussion group and recently formed Facebook page. https://web.facebook.com/stpaulsbeaconsfieldwa/
Your commentaries are also helpful.