Feeling humbled as I read about scholars of the humanities in the Renaissance, in this poem I reflected on scholarly ambition and my own self-image.
In April of 2020, living under stay-at-home orders, my daughters and I began the “Quarantine Sonnet” Project. Each day, we each tried to write a sonnet, and we posted them on the wall of our hallway!
Shrinking Each year I live my skills and passions grow Hunches and knacks pop up from unknown stores And day by day see how much I don't know My reach outgrows my grasp, what heaven's for Is learning my right size, and laying down Pretension, pride, and confidence I'd be A world-class scholar, expert, cap and gown, A shining saint, a voice that moves the sea Of human hearts. My education grand Now seems so puny as I glimpse the rich Minds' treasure stores of generations manned By heroes of the soul at fever pitch. But as my eyes shrink so my world expands, And I rejoice more in Your larger hands.
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