Wine, Water and Song: a touch of GKC

In this episode I recollect my father’s love of GK Chesterton, quote you some favourite verses of his and finish with a section of my Quarantine Quatrains about wine. Here are my verses from The Quarantine Quatrains, by the way if you've enjoyed this and would like to 'buy me a cup of coffee ( or in light of this, something stronger!) you can do so here: www.buymeacoffee.com/malcolmg...
II
7
I think of old Khayyam who ‘stood before
The tavern shouting open up the door’
And wish I might carouse the night with him
Alas that such carousals are no more
8
I’ll keep the rules my country has imposed
My life, like my small garden, is enclosed,
But still I’ll raise a glass and pledge my friends
Although, for us, the tavern door is closed
9
For in my cellar, ranged in dusty rows,
Are sleeping poets waiting to disclose
Deep memories of St. Emillion
Whose vineyards reach to where the Dordogne flows
10
And with these wines I travel where I please
From Rhineland to the lofty Pyrenees,
I saunter though the chateaus of the Loire,
Drawing the cork on any one of these.
11
So with the poets let me praise the vine
And pledge my absent friends in vintage wine
Sensing, sometimes, the savour at my lips
Speaks of a love both human and divine.
12
And when I come to taste my life’s last drop,
When all that flowed in me comes to a stop,
Then let me see my saviour pledge his love,
Come close to me, and help me drink the cup.

[@atypicalgeek88]

Coming from a Pentecostal background, I'd always had grape juice at communion. Imagine my surprise and delight when the leaders of my campus ministry had a bottle of wine ready for communion at my baptism! Such a vivid expression of the joy and assurance that I received as I came out of the water. I happen to be Anglican now and more convinced than ever that God actually gives us grace and changes us through both sacraments. Every time I drink the wine it brings me back to that day as well as the cross. Missing communion terribly these days. Thank you so much, Malcolm, for the chance to reflect on it!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

what a great way to celebrate baptism, yes I too really miss communion, i long to celebrate it but feel quite strongly that I cannot do so without the gathered company of the church

[@michaelkelleypoetry]

I worked at Kroger (a US grocer) while in seminary and I absolutely love Chesterton's verse about the wicked grocer. 🤣

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Yes its a great, and wonderfully outrageous poem!

[@mjp152]

Chesterton is quite a singular figure - haven't really found anyone quite like him. One of my all time favorite books is "The man who was Thursday". I remember reading it back in 2001 in my very early twenties and absolutely falling in love with this metaphysical thriller. Still pick it up about once a year and catch up with the good mr. Gabriel Syme.

[@debelkink]

Delightful interaction, Malcolm! Of GKC's fiction, I'm particularly fond of THE FLYING INN and, especially, the chapter about the "seven moods" of bird poet Dorian Wimpole (which I see as "conversion narrative"--a literary apologetic strangely parallel to GKC's own move to Christianity). Thank you for your readings here and especially the lovely bridges you build between GKC, your readers, and your own poetry.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks!

[@vangidemaster4464]

Thank you! Just wonderful!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@annetullis2816]

Santé! Good friends, good books and good wine. All of life's pleasures. Thank you again.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

yes its good when good things go together

[@sandrofazzolari8833]

Poetry and wine 🍷... MARVELLOUS! Grazie 🙏. Cheers, SF.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

always a good combination!

[@anglingpiper6560]

Simply wonderful. What beautiful words. Thank you sir for continuing to put out fantastic content. It's quite remarkable how words can unlock such deep emotions within us. Take care and God bless.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

You are very welcome, mind you I had a lot of help from Chesterton with that one!

[@Cotyblack]

Thank you. I am beginning to cultivate an appreciation for poem. I used to write them to my wife when we were in grade school. She saved them. Perhaps I will take up pen again. Thanks again brother.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

always glad to get someone writing poetry again!

[@dalepiper6693]

You brought back such fond memoirs of walking as a boy with my father whilst he recited Tennyson. Always a pleasure to stop by your book lined study with it’s memories. Enjoying your quarantine poems also.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

excellent. We will definitely be having some Tennyson soon!

[@CurmudgeonPiper]

What a joyful chat to enjoy a bowl by. Thank you and hope you are well. Loved the Chesterson verses.

[@davewalker751]

Loved the visit of your dog - beautiful. The two essentials in a mans life, his dog and a pipe :)

[@RL-ck8zk]

Thank you for this!

[@xavieryoung7937]

I was inspired after watching this video when you released it to buy a 2nd hand copy of 'Wine, Water and Song' and read it myself. I was just now reading The Song of the Strange Ascetic and I found your line about bankers from Love in the Red! It's a great line about that funny cash and it's cool to discover where you got it from.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks, and well spotted! I quite often riff on Chesterton in one way or another - he was a real prophet!

[@stonehengeminstrel]

I have just ordered a copy from Amazon. I find it funny how the mighty Amazon beast that has drawn the shutters to many a high street shop, now comes to our rescue in todays world we live in and kindly agrees to post the book in my letterbox within 24-hours of my asking. Sometimes we must accept change, no matter how much we may object to its changing of our landscape.... It often is for the better. I look forward to reading it. Thank you for sharing ✌️

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks, hope you enjoy the book when it arrives!

[@williama.hovestreydt6623]

just discovered this/you...how delightful!! Thank you!

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Welcome!

[@ehertel1]

I am a mental health therapist with a client who loves John Keats. I found you Malcom on a search, and shared your video "a poet finds his words to inspire" ,He absolutely bonded with you. My client wants to learn diversification of poetry. Any chance of you making videos on how to do so? thank you for sharing your testimony. looking forward to more videos, your awesome. much love in JC.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Thanks, I can well imagine that Keats is great food for the soul and for those in mental distress, I have found him so myself. I think its easier to teach versification and live rather than by video, but I might have a go some day

[@tombroughton6757]

Thank you, Dr. Guite. This was nice, as always. Since you mention G. K. Chesterton often (and you mentioned your father's Catholic friends), I am curious to know if you have ever considered converting to the Catholic Church through the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham. I apologize if this is too personal of a question. So, please feel no obligation to answer. I, too, feel attracted to the writings of Chesterton and Newman. And I must make a full disclosure: I was raised Episcopalian, here, in the U.S., and converted through the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter. Anyway, thank you for sharing your love of God and literature with us.

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

Thanks for your thoughts Peter, but I am very happy in my own church which I regard as part of the catholic church with a small c, I don't thing these divisions will mean anything in Heaven and we should live from the standpoint of heaven now

[@canadasue]

a very present help

[@LeftHandedWords]

This is just wonderful. Do you have a photographic memory?

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

thanks, I do have a memory for poetry, but its not photographic but auditory, I remember the sounds in the air and find that once Ive read a poem out loud once or twice I find I know it by heart even though Ive never intentionally learned it. Sometime I don't know I know a poem until I need it - and there it is!

[@LeftHandedWords]

Also, is there a story behind that flask to your right?

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

indeed. glad you noticed it. It has been a steadfast travelling companion over the years!

[@r.pittman3]

"...dead lucre, burnt ambition, wine is best."

[@MalcolmGuitespell]

ah, someone who knows their Belloc! I'll have to read that poem in one of these episodes!

[@r.pittman3]

@@MalcolmGuitespell you bet! and a bit of an intro about him for those who may be unfamiliar...