The Poet as Priest: David Jones

Have you ever considered how a poet can also have a priestly function?

If the priest is someone who mediates between human beings and the divine or spiritual realm, then this could be said of the poet as much as of the minister of religion. The notion of the poet as shaman, as a mediator between the human world and the spirit world, is a very ancient and ubiquitous one.

Although officially these roles have been separated in the Christian tradition, there are many examples of those who have combined these two vocations. The modernist poet and artist David Jones (1895-1974) explores this poetic role particularly in his essay, ‘Art and Sacrament’, which describes human creativity as the bridge between the material and spiritual worlds.

Beth Dodd will introduce the day with an outline of the ways in which the role of the poet and the priest can intersect, with examples from the history of poetry. Hilary Davies will then address this theme both as a scholar of David Jones and as a poet herself.

The day will include practical activities as well as close reading of Jones’ work.

Contact Alison Ogden for all booking enquiries
aogden@sarum.ac.uk  |  01722 424826  |  01722 424800 (main reception)