One of my interests is the intersection of theology and culture: how does one impact the other and vice versa. Any Biblical approach to culture must, at some point address art. In the hope of encouraging you to think about art, I post poetry on Fridays and link to photography by Joe Thorn, Steve McCoy and Timmy. In keeping with the spirit of all things artistic, I’d also like to start highlighting interesting musical artists who provide free downloads.

The choice for the first featured Friday musical artist is not objective by any means, but then again, most musical choices are not. New Moniker is a solo instrumental effort by our soon-to-be-former Minister of Worship, Gary Brumley. Gary has posted a single track so far on PureVolume, but it’s a good one. Instrumental rock in the vein of the Mercury Program, Maserit and El Ten Eleven. So without further ado:

• Visit the New Moniker page at Purevolume and preview or download the track “Asiago.”

And now, on to the poetry. Since last week’s post regarding Wallace Stevens mentioned William Carlos Williams, it is only appropriate that this week features Williams. Williams is one of my favorite poets. He sparse style forces the limits of the “less is more” concept, exploring just how much weight each word can carry. Today’s selections include perhaps his most famous piece “The Red Wheelbarrow” and “The Yellow Chimney” (we’re going for a color theme today).

The Red Wheelbarrow

so much depends
upon
a red wheel
barrow

glazed with rain
water
beside the white
chickens.

The Yellow Chimney

There is a plume
of fleshpale
smoke upon the blue

sky. The silver
rings that
strap the yellow

brick stack at
wide intervals shine
in this amber

light–not
of the sun not of
the pale sun but

his born brother
the
declining season

• Read Wikipedia’s entry on William Carlos Williams.
• Buy Selected Poems by William Carlos Williams.