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The Inmate's avatar

Thanks for this, Frank. I like that Eliot poem, but haven't read it in quite awhile. I like this line from Flannery O'Connor's story, "A Good Man is Hard to Find":

“She would of been a good woman,” The Misfit said, “if it had been somebody there to shoot her every minute of her life.”

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Frank Wright's avatar

Also what a line. She has so many. I didn’t recall that one so thank you for that little gem.

Frank Wright's avatar

Oh Flannery is peerless and I am going to go on about her in the new year.

The Inmate's avatar

Excellent. I'm already looking forward to that!

The Inmate's avatar

LOL. Okay, Frank, I think I'm a generation beyond you (late 60s). I've looked up "GONGA" and I'm not quite sure what you mean by that. I assume something like, "I'll do it!" or "It's gonna happen" or......?

Frank Wright's avatar

Sorry for being obtuse I thought you might know that reference and now I have made a GONGA of myself lol

Frank Wright's avatar

It comes from Wise Blood (the Flannery novel), and there is a very funny scene involved in its mention. GONGA is a sort of King Kong figure from the films. A man appears dressed in a gorilla suit to promote this movie, and dark hilarity ensues. Very Flannery to include a belly laugh in consideration of the grim.

The Inmate's avatar

Now you've exposed my poor memory. Thanks! I read that probably 35+ years ago...thanks for the explanation. I like that better than anything the AI told me. Have a Merry Christmas!

Christy Moorish's avatar

Sublime essay, Frank. Beautifully written. Happy Christmas!

Kerie Receveur's avatar

Beautiful, thank you.

Frank Wright's avatar

You’re welcome KR! I’m glad to have brought you some beauty for Christmas.

Esme Y.'s avatar

Two years ago, a friend in Rome (who does private tours) took me to several sights and one of them was the Scala Sancta. I had never been there despite having visited Rome so many times (in the days before I came back to the Church). He said rather flippantly, “Oh, why don’t we go to the Scala Sancta?” I replied, “Sure.” We got there and saw people going up on their knees. He suggested that we do the same and i said, sure why not. By the fifth stair, my bony knees were killing me. It was so painful! But I couldn’t quit because I felt so ashamed. There were very old women going up those stairs on their knees. When I reached the top, all I could feel was agony.

00ppppppp's avatar

Thanks Frank. One of my favorite Christmas poems. I love the hope and faith implicit in the last line -- "I should be glad of another death."

Frank Wright's avatar

Also good on you for pointing out the revision of the understanding of death - hope and faith indeed!

Frank Wright's avatar

I think it’s marvellous and I’m glad you do, too. Bit of a shocker in saccharine times. I will be going on about Possum in the New Year.

Jeron Smith's avatar

To proceed up those steps on your knees, viewing His blood....

Frank Wright's avatar

Yes it fair did for me in a way to be honest Jeron. I did a piece on that for LifeSiteNews today which should be up before Christmas Day, if you would like to hear how I blundered into the presence of God.

Jeron Smith's avatar

Beautifully expressed

John Henry Holliday, DDS's avatar

Merry Christmas, Mr. Wright.

Frank Wright's avatar

Merry Christmas Doc!

JasonT's avatar

To be faced with the Incarnation is to be changed, entirely, eternally. To not fit in the old dispensation.

Helen W's avatar

Difficultly beautiful. Thank you.

Frank Wright's avatar

Haha! You’re welcome Helen!

consuelo's avatar

Well, that was thought-provoking.

Thanks.

Frank Wright's avatar

Glad I could help! You’re welcome.