Some poetry is inspiring and some tell a story of a life. Francis Thompson (1859-1907), who wrote the famous poem Hound of Heaven, was born into a well to do Roman Catholic family. He studied for the priesthood, but then left. He attended medical school only to please his parents but failed the examinations three times. In dispair he went to London where he tried different occupations, but was a failure at everything he tried. He became destitute and an opium addict. In spite of this, he wrote poetry during his life, mostly religious poetry. Some he wrote on scrap paper. He sent poetry he had written to Wilfrid and Alice Meynell who published a magazine and printed his poems in the magazine. Impressed, they ended up helping him. Finally, he entered a Franciscan care facility where he was able to end his addiction. However, his health was ruined and he died there. One of his best known poems was Hound of Heaven, a poem with rich imagery and poetic vision about his relationship with God. It describes Thompson as running away from God and God’s loving pursuit. The poem is a wonderfully descriptive tale of Thompson’s attempt to escape God and God’s persistent pursuit in love. The poem begins with these well known lines:

"I fled him down the night and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years; I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways of my own mind; and in the midst of tears I hid from Him, and under running laughter.

Up vistaed hopes I sped; and shot, precipitated, Adown Titanic glooms of chasmed fears, From those strong feet that followed, followed after. But, with unhurrying chase and unperturbed pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, they beat – and a voice beat more instant than the feet – "All things betray thee, who betray me."

It ends with Thompson’s surrender and God’s revelation: "Ah fondest, blindest, weakest, I am He whom thou seekest!"

The poem reminds me of the great inspirational hym Amazing Grace. Written in the 18^th century by John Newton. He was born in London and ended up captaining a boat involved in the slave trade. He was converted to religion and ended up a minister. Like Hound of Heaven the song describes his conversion and begins with the wonderful lines:

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now am found; was blind, but now I see."