Gerard Manley Hopkins' poetry can be confusing at first glance, and he faced consistent criticism for his style of poetry the world just wasn't ready for at the time. His friend and posthumous editor Robert Bridges even wrote an essay called "The Oddities of Genius" about how puzzling Hopkins' work can be.

His poem "Inversnaid" is a prime example. As Hopkins contemplates a small stream by the name Inversnaid, he makes use of wonderfully unexpected words that seemingly require a glossary to understand. Like many of Hopkins' works, this poem celebrates the goodness and beauty of the ordinary world and how God is always found in the details. He poses the question: What would the world be without this stream and its taken-for-granted beauty?

Music from this episode was from EVOE, Dear Gravity, Ardie Son, and IamDayLight. Sound design and editing is by Nate Sheppard.

For more poetry from the Rabbit Room, subscribe to our newsletter at Rabbitroompoetry.substack.com.

Gerard Manley Hopkins' poetry can be confusing at first glance, and he faced consistent criticism for his style of poetry the world just wasn't ready for at the time. His friend and posthumous editor Robert Bridges even wrote an essay called "The Oddities of Genius" about how puzzling Hopkins' work can be.
His poem "Inversnaid" is a prime example. As Hopkins contemplates a small stream by the name Inversnaid, he makes use of wonderfully unexpected words that seemingly require a glossary to understand. Like many of Hopkins' works, this poem celebrates the goodness and beauty of the ordinary world and how God is always found in the details. He poses the question: What would the world be without this stream and its taken-for-granted beauty?
Music from this episode was from EVOE, Dear Gravity, Ardie Son, and IamDayLight. Sound design and editing is by Nate Sheppard.
For more poetry from the Rabbit Room, subscribe to our newsletter at Rabbitroompoetry.substack.com.

A deep dive into the life and work of important poets, hosted by Andy Patton. Part of The Rabbit Room Podcast Network. (Rabbitroom.com)

A deep dive into the life and work of important poets, hosted by Andy Patton. Part of The Rabbit Room Podcast Network. (Rabbitroom.com)

Rhyme & Reason

Hopkins: "Inversnaid"

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/d699cc26-51ff-4875-9bdb-aa4e006494dd/clips/f90a4093-20c4-45c0-8d56-b27b002e2faf/transcript

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