Retrograde Motion

The noble old horologist, his lens stuck in his eye,  condescends to enter in upon his menial task. Small fame or fortune comes to him from what he daily does, yet through his humble trade he’s glimpsed the workings of the world. For on his bench he masterfully lays the stars that roam the sky and moves the sun ‘round which they turn and daily dance with glee. A microcosm in his hand: the cosmos in his grasp. For his delight the spheres will turn, and at his frown they cease. The balance of this world obeys the judgement of his hands. Tis his to mend and his to mar where e’re his pleasure lies. But gently he performs his work, with love he orders all, and with a gentle shake he brings his dying world new life. 

One of my favourite things to talk about with my students each year are ancient myths. Myths shape culture and have become so deeply woven into the way that we think and speak today that they become essential to understanding much of the literature we read and even the various traditions that have developed in our own society. One of the books I use in teaching writing second semester spends some time focusing on myths. In the first chapter of this book, they set about defining myth. When we get to this part, I always ask my students to think of the different myths they have heard and tell me what a myth is. Most of them end up giving examples from greek mythology, and I usually get the same basic list of criteria for a myth: heroes, creation of the world, origin of cities and people, wars, invention of technology, explanations of events using supernatural means, etc. I then ask them, “Are the stories that the ancient greeks told about Zeus, and Hermes, and Poseidon myths?” To whic...

From the song of Umare the stars were born. And from these stars seven were placed apart to govern and serve the Earth. Here were built the dwellings of the dosciumae, and on each of these stars, which are the planets, Umare placed a ruler entrusted to govern and protect the Earth. These seven rulers the men call the Æteslae. The first of the Æteslae is Atestalume. He was appointed by Umare as the king of the Æteslae. His dwelling is the Sun, and the dwelling of Nesaluma, his queen, is the Moon. Together they watch over the day and night. Atestalume is counted the wisest of the dosciumae, yet he is not proud. He perceives all the doings of men and judges between them. He is benevolent, and deals kindly with them.  Nesaluma is queen of the night, and she cares for all creatures that wander under her pale light. She nurtures the plants that grow. As the rest she feeds the soil and coats them with her blanket of dew.  Uthlome is the strongest of the dosciumae. It was he w...

In the darkness before all time, there was a tone: a solitary note which Umare sung out into the void. No other tone has ever equaled this tone in fullness or beauty. And within this tone resounded other tones emanating from the one. These tones were distinct from one another, but inseparable from the unity of the one. They proceeded from the root distinct, yet inseparable from the purity of the one. And the fullness of Umare sang into the void. And from Umare, the one, came to be all that ever has been. The first created beings were the Dosciumae: called thus by men because they were created first to glorify Umare. He created them from his song to sing harmony with his song, and he taught them first of all creatures to sing his song and to devise harmonies to accompany his own. All the dosciumae sung together the glorious song with the one.  As the harmony of the dosciumae progressed, lead by Umare, the void began to be changed. At the new sound the Earth was brought forth. ...

The sky is but a purple haze. Afar a glimmer of sun appears The crispy quiet, a steady calm, has lain its peace upon the land. The moon, he rests at noon and turns his face to where his lover shines and hails the life that she will bring. I see them speak as parents, when their children sleep, whisper a word  unheard that brings an understanding smile, which warms their hearts in times of cold brought on through life’s dismays and promises a brighter world.

 This is a hymn that I wrote intended to be used as a call to worship. As believers gather to worship on the Lord's day, we are told that we are actually drawn up into heaven and standing in the presence of God. I wanted to write a hymn that reflected this both lyrically and musically.