The Poetry of Angels

Written by William Blake, W.B. Yeats and Emily Dickinson

Narrated by Ghizela Rowe

Angels are undeniably associated with religion and more usually Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Often they are seen as supernatural beings, benevolent celestial intermediaries interposed between God, Heaven and humanity.

They are protectors, our heavenly guides, and the servants of God. They are also His Messengers. The faithful seek their blessing, their help. A visitation is a miraculous event, filled with reverence, awe and shared with the wider community as a sign that faith has reward.

Other religions also make note of angelic contributions including Sikhism and Zoroastrianism. There is also the unnerving distinction that there are ‘fallen Angels’ that seep dark, malevolent forces into the world. They tempt, they betray, they lead us where it is not safe to go.

But faith once more resolves the dilemma; good will overcome evil. And whether a believer or not, there is a comfort that the angels of our hearts are the ones of love, of care and compassion.

Obviously there are complications, a fact that our classic poets through the centuries, including Alexander Pope, Edmund Spenser, Radclyffe Hall and Hafiz, use as they write verse to explain, to reveal and to help us understand exactly why Angels are so prevalent amongst our thoughts.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Copyright Group
• Release date: Jan 2, 2021
• ISBN: 9781839677670

William Blake

William Blake was born in London in 1757. He was apprenticed to a master engraver and then studied at the Royal Academy under the guidance of Joshua Reynolds. In 1789 he engraved and published Songs of Innocence and the contrasting Songs of Experience came later in 1794. A poet, painter and printmaker of great originality and imagination, his work was largely unrecognized during his lifetime and he struggled to make a living. Blake is now considered a seminal figure in the history of both the poetry and visual arts of the Romantic Age. He died in 1827.