Thirty Poems

by Thomas Merton

1944 poetry book.

Genres: Poetry

29 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1944

About the author

Thomas Merton, religious name M. Louis, was an American Trappist monk, writer, theologian, mystic, poet, social activist and scholar of comparative religion. In December 1941 he entered the Trappist Abbey of Gethsemani and in May 1949 he was ordained to priesthood. He was a member of the convent of the Abbey of Our Lady of Gethsemani, near Bardstown, Kentucky, living there from 1941 to his death.
Merton wrote more than 50 books in a period of 27 years, mostly on spirituality, social justice and a quiet pacifism, as well as scores of essays and reviews. Among Merton's most enduring works is his bestselling autobiography The Seven Storey Mountain (1948). His account of his spiritual journey inspired scores of World War II veterans, students, and teenagers to explore offerings of monasteries across the US. It is on National Review's list of the 100 best nonfiction books of the century.
Merton became a keen proponent of interfaith understanding, exploring Eastern religions through his study of mystic practice. His interfaith conversation, which preserved both Protestant and Catholic theological positions, helped to build mutual respect via their shared experiences at a period of heightened hostility. He is particularly known for having pioneered dialogue with prominent Asian spiritual figures, including the Dalai Lama XIV; Japanese writer D.T. Suzuki; Thai Buddhist monk Buddhadasa Bhikkhu, and Vietnamese monk Thich Nhat Hanh. He traveled extensively in the course of meeting with them and attending international conferences on religion. In addition, he wrote books on Zen Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism, and how Christianity is related to them. This was highly unusual at the time in the United States, particularly within the religious orders.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merton's first collection of poems that were published. He must have had an extensive knowledge of poetry because he used several types and structures.
He was very concerned with the mistreatment of the Black population in the US and I love how this poem ends showing the hypocrisy of the church doing all these things except the heart of God - love mercy, do justice and walk humbly before God.

"For Grace moves, like the wind,
The armies of the wheat our secret hero!
And Faith sits in our hearts like fire,
And makes them smile like suns,
'While we come back from lovely Bethlehem
To burn down Harlem with the glad Word of
Our Savior.'"

[Steven Tryon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short collection and, methinks, my final completion for the year. Merton's piety here is of one mind with the confidence of Twelve Storey Mountain. I am looking forward to seeing the progression in Merton's poetry as I have seen it his prose.

[Yvonne Flint · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much as I love all things Merton, I think his prose sings more than his poetry in general. Some beautiful lines and familiar Merton themes and filled with Light.