Eddy – Christian Science Hymns by Mary Baker Eddy, Vocal Artist – Kenny Baker

What is Poetry? Each of these Other Writings calls for a whole chapter to itself, and Poems more so than most because of the essentially metaphysical nature of poetry and its relation to Science. If we look into this aspect first it will illuminate Mrs. Eddy’s poems and the force of the fifteenth book.

The word ‘poem’ is from the Greek poiein, to make, to arrange or construct. The poet makes sense out of experience, by revealing its meaning. By making us see the meaning he recreates with the creator. Poetry is creative in that it discloses a significance we had not seen, and reunites us with the great springs of being. “Poetry is itself a thing of God; / He made His prophets poets” says P.]. Bailey in “Festus.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning says, “God is Himself the best Poet, / And the Real is His song.”

Professor Erich Heller provides deep insight into the subject of poetry and meaning: “Poetry always means more than itself. Its meaning is the vindication of the worth and value of the world, of life and of human experience. At heart all poetry is praise and celebration …. Whatever it does, it cannot but confirm the existence of a meaningful world – even when it denounces its meaninglessness. Poetry means order, even with the indictment of chaos; it means hope, even with the outcry of despair. It is concerned with the true stature of things.” (The Hazard of Modern Poetry.)