Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-04-10
High Praise for Alexandria
Poet
Caroline GHtinnn HarlOlo
Receives Tribute From
Distinguished Critics
THE DIVINE IMAGE
A BOOK OF LYRICS

We have great pleasure in printing
the words of commentator uttered by
some of the leading critics OF the
United States, in review of Mrs. Caro-
line Giltinan Harlow's first book OF
lyrics, published in Boston by Inc
Cornhill Company. Mrs. Harlow IS
the wife of our well known fellow
citizen, Leo P. Harlow, and the Ga
zette has heretofore had the priv
lege Of printing some OF her charm
ing verse in its columns. On Good FIJI
day, this week, we have obtained per-
mission to publish one of the poems
contained in the volume, appropriate
to the occasion. We feel that AleXan-
dria is indeed honored in claiming
poet of so much promise and genius as
its own. The reviews follow, and the
eminencc of the writers marks the
various expressions with unique dis
tinction.
- $50
Now and then there comes into the
world a soul who discovers the eXper-
fences that lay in its path upon the
earth as so many shattered crystals
and life becomes a piecing and fitting
! together of these crystals into the
! Divine Image. Such a poet was
Crashaw, and Blake. and Francis
Thompson. They were the supreme
children who mace their toys out OF
dreams, building them into mysteries
which made them forget such trivial
things as kings and wars, trade and
inventions: all the ambitions and de-
sires limited by the crimes OF the
world. These supreme children have
brothers and sisters with lesser power,
who seek out of their experiences to
create images and the adorable sancti-
ties, from dreams. Miss Giltinan is
one Of these, and this little book IS a
testimony of her spiritual quests.
Brief, flashing, fragments of eX-
perience, they hold each one a part Of
that image which makes the Divine
Presence felt in the world. And they
do this not by being in the common
sense of the word, religious, but by
being mystical, by giving to life its
tone Of fullness, its quality Of earth
sense. 1t is a oondage-that Is all
from which the soul seeks to escape,
and the escape is made through that
perpetual desire for acceptance into
/ the Divine Will. Such an art rs
this is joyous, praising ecstatically,
ceverent for the time when JOY Is
Swallowed by pain or sorrow. And
so lyrics, shining with simple words
and phrases, in tie most direct metri-
cal measure, flutter like doves against
the sunlight, dream against dream in
the mystery Of the Great Dream.
William Stanley Drait~wa;Ie-iR the
Anthology of Magazine Verse.
"The Divine Image" has beautiful
things in it-like "The Coward, 50
"The Courtyard Pigeons" His Wom-
an" ctc.-not to mention others-Ed-
win Arlington Robinson.
"The Divine Image" is fire book.
/. Over Night, Rose" and "Chiqs''
are the loveliest poems I've read for
.many a day. Of course, like the
book that Contains them, and con-
tains so much else that is sincere and
noble and beautiful. Miss Giltinan's
poetry carries one to strange and de-
lightful places. She is, think, the
least artificial poet living, which is
not to say that she is not an artist
! Her poems are not consciously made;
they are expressions, ordinations
sincere because they are always re-
violation of the real poet. Even if had
not a fellow craftsman's apprccia-
ton of her splendid talent, I'd be
glad to own--externa!ly and inter
nally-her poetry-Joyce Kiimcr.
NeIo York Times Book RcUiclC.
Miss Giltmans poems have sincerity
and freedom from ALLEGATION. Ihcy
don't strain after effect. And want
TO say that l think the mysticism they
express is true,-Biiss Carmoa
In THE Divine Image Miss Caro-
line Giltinan shows more than mere
ability to make pleasing verse; she
shows something vastly more impor-
tant, soul with more than earthly
vision, an imagination that cncom-
passes realms OF beauty and Of duty,
of devotion and of service; as well
as a spiritual insight that enables
her to distinguish the ultimate goal
of all this present life. Miss Gilman
wrought in "The Divine Image a
work that must broaden the outlooi,
Of every reader, inspire him and make
him feel the glory OF the souls adren-
lures in that blessed region where the
poet has power to lead. The lyrics
are impressive and digniicd and sin
ccre, and are marked by rare modesty
and gcntleness. There is the fire, TOO,
of the real singcr-prophet whose in
corporations never fail Miss Gilti-
mans art is sure, but it is not the cold,
practiced art of one content with the
letter of art, who ignores the spirit.
In her lines, the spirit dominates and
the singer is Jealous in her adherence
to the thought that it is the quest of
the truth in all sincerity and dill
gence that gives life its greatest zest.
One poem, "Wanting So the Face
Divine is a spiritual triumph. An
other poem, achievement" % is Of an
other victory whose glory is splendidly
sung. In the poem headed Chips"
there is a poets view of life which
comprises statement of a hope-in-
spring philosophy. Miss Giltinan's
little volume should be treasured Tor
its many gems that can only be fash