Memorizing Lepanto

The July/August issue of StAR (Saint Austin Review) arrived the other day. The focus of this issue is on "Ageless Children's Literature."

My attention was drawn to an article by G. K. Martin, "Chesterton's 'Lepanto' and Why Boys Should Love Poetry."

Martin begins by talking about his love of poetry from a young age. He talks about the value of poetry for boys. "The restlessness of the pre-pubescent boy, that untethered creature who walks like a naughty child with the body of an old man, could find a harbor to dock his heart at within the wiser musings of those old, dead men we call poets."

He goes on to note, "Poetry is loved because it reveals love. Poetry is treasured because poetry treasures the world. Poetry is not about itself; the best poetry is always about something else. It heals a poisoned imagination, it tenderly approaches a broken heart, and it forces one to return to a slower pace of being, the pace of peace."

He admits that reading an memorizing poetry has brought him "much fulfillment."

When he was in high school he memorized "Lepanto." I won't disclose the rest of his article, other than to day he found a way to use the achievement, and to offer more praise for poetry and memorizing.

The article is well worth a read.

As is StAR in general. This particular issue has other articles of interest to Chestertonians, including  looks at Narnia, C.S. Lewis, and fairy tales. 

Joseph Pearce is co-editer of the magazine, by the way.

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