This collection of poems, created by Bradford Cathedral’s Poet in Residence during its centenary year, explores the changing place of the Church in a multi-faith and often stridently secular society where it can no longer speak with its old authority. ↵
Diana Pacitti’s poetry envisages a new role of living more truly the presence of Christ. She says, ‘I am convinced that if he was born today Jesus would choose Bradford, with its collapsed industrial might, large Muslim population and social and economic stresses, rather than a wealthier and more comfortable cathedral city’. ↵
It includes poems on the landscape and its reduction to ownership and monetary value, and the local impact of wars, industrialism, and the rise of nationalist politics. It celebrates the great northern spiritual tradition with poems devoted to Hilda and Cuthbert and local figures such as Emily Bronte. Reflecting the Cathedral’s rhythm of prayer and its role within the city, poems centred on Christ and the biblical narrative are juxtaposed with others focused on contemporary themes.