Spirit and Flesh, Englishman and Greek
by
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Conceived at Delphi They stole away to Delphi. The couple stayed where rocks are reaching out to touch the air and gods would play if gods did anywhere. Their bed on the lip of infinity was laid, and drunk with sky, they clove to mortal frame. In such a fold a civilization could fare forth; in such a fold our earthly pair conceived a child above the olive plain. Lie peaceful, little baby, in mother's fold. Much later when down lies dark upon your face and stones are dreamt like those, may you be told— should you be led, this reliquary to trace— they stole away to Delphi. What vapors rolled, what tale of destiny in this moment of embrace? Chapter Five A NORTH AMERICAN LIVING IN ENGLAND Sheltered Island Lands Ebullient clouds were strewn in celestial tiers, the inwards stairs which reached the unspied dome and gave a height unknown in other spheres expanse to sheltered island lands, to home. The pastures past the pond went on and on, the hedgerows lacing greenfield after green, and timeless ticking cows' tails upon the garden's bounds affixed a boundless scene. As upward stairs had swayed my pen to rise, and nether lands had granted cool repose, so I was Eye on all of earth and skies. Can ruddy breaths and sounds these lengths disclose? Ah, children's cries, the sweetest music still, caught it all, this England, and the quill. “The Rookery”, New Buckenham, England, 1972
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About the Book
In this new collection of memories and meditations, author David Roomy explores the union of some of life’s great opposites. He considers human nature as possessing a duality: spirit and flesh, refinement and passion—“English” and “Greek” aspects of our own natures. Through prose narrative and poetry, he recalls his experiences in England and Greece and with their respective cultures through the lens of this duality.
Part memoir, part collection of verse, Spirit and Flesh, Englishman and Greek reflects on life’s nature with beauty and intensity.
“ Spirit and Flesh, Englishman and Greek is the product of fifty years of contemplation and meditation on the life of flesh and soul. David Roomy, with his Greek and American heritage, has traveled and lived in the world and in his psyche, with the struggle between his Dionysian and Apollonian sides. His beautiful prose and poetry capture the feeling of both the people and landscapes of Greece and rural England. The result is that the opposites are united under one cover in a profoundly moving way. His words reverberate and resonate within the reader's psyche long after the book has been gently placed down.”
—John Allan, PhD, Professor Emeritus, Counseling Psychology, University of British Columbia and Jungian Analyst, IAAP
About the Author
David Roomy , former Jungian psychotherapist and professor, first took writing courses at the Poetry Society of America and Columbia University. David has traveled to Greece many times and lived with his family for seven years in England. He now lives in Vancouver, Canada, with his wife, Cyndy.