I think I might have too! I have always been fascinated with the mystics of any religion actually, but especially curious about the medieval Christian mystics. It was such a different view of spirituality then how things manifest now in the various branches of Christianity. And they were often quite the poets.
Vina, thank you so much. It really means a great deal to me to hear this feedback. I imagine it would have been a very odd position for Francis, being torn between his higher calling and being in love with Claire. As to the history aspect, although the correspondence is entirely fictional, I am following aspects from the actual history of Francis and Claire, in order to guide my writing so it has at least some semblance of believability. It's interesting to do that because if it were up to me, I'd have them disassociating with the church altogether and doing something entirely different, but then I'd have to change their names and no one would be able to relate anymore. :-) I'm finding it really fun to play within the form given by the actual events as 'recorded'.
Jason, this is probably the best compliment from you I've ever had! It warms the cockles of my heart.
Hee hee, perhaps I will add sound effects to one of these posts. :-) Thanks for the idea!
Thank you Marjory! I am so glad to meet you, it is funny the way things move. I think this is true about dreams, and why some dreams just scream to be remembered and written down and shared.
Laura, I'm so glad you came back! I lost your link. Thank you for these kind words my friend.
Thanks Vesper! :-) I did a little reading of some of the visions of Medieval mystic Christians while in college, and the visions are kind of terrifying, although in many cases, very difficult to understand. In this case, I tried to include some of the intensity of an actual vision, while attempting to make it understandable while still remaining in the world of metaphor, as visions and dreams tend to be. The mystics tended to feel they were not separate from God but were rather, a ray of divinity, which is closer to what I believe than the more current views of Christianity.
I'm glad it provoked thought Juliette! I would love to know what those thoughts are if you get a chance.
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Opus