In your language you have a form of poetry called the sonnetโฆThere are fourteen lines, I believe, all in iambic pentameter. Thatโs a very strict rhythm or meterโฆAnd each line has to end with a rigid pattern. And if the poet does not do it exactly this way, it is not a sonnetโฆBut within this strict form the poet has complete freedom to say whatever he wantsโฆYouโre given the form, but you have to write the sonnet yourself. What you say is completely up to you.
Madeleine L'EngleOur story is never written in isolation. We do not act in a one-man play. We can do nothing that does not affect other people, no matter how loudly we say, "It's my own business.
Madeleine L'EngleA burst of harmony so brilliant that it almost overwhelmed them surrounded Meg, the cherubim, Calvin, and Mr. Jenkins. But after a moment of breathlessness, Meg was able to open herself to the song of the farae, these strange creatures who were Deepened, rooted, yet never seperated from each other, no matter how great the distance. We are the song of the universe. We sing with the angelic host. We are musicians. The farae and the stars are the singers. Our song orders the rhythm of creation.
Madeleine L'EngleWe think because we have words, not the other way around. The more words we have, the better able we are to think conceptually.
Madeleine L'EngleProgo,' Meg asked. 'You memorized the names of all the stars - how many are there?' How many? Great heavens, earthling. I haven't the faintest idea.' But you said your last assignment was to memorize the names of all of them.' I did. All the stars in all the galaxies. And that's a great many.' But how many?' What difference does it make? I know their names. I don't know how many there are. It's their names that matter.
Madeleine L'EngleThe journey homewards. Coming home. That's what it's all about. The journey to the coming of the Kingdom. That's probably the chief difference between the Christian and the secular artist--the purpose of the work, be it story or music or painting, is to further the coming of the kingdom, to make us aware of our status as children of God, and to turn our feet toward home.
Madeleine L'Engle