Coronado resident Senator Jim Mills has written a wonderful new book entitled:
The Poetic Visions of Christ
James is, a writer, historian, and public servant, was a member of the California Legislature from 1960 to 1982. He served as President pro Tempore and Chairman of the Senate Rules Committee from 1971 to 1980. From 1980 to 1982, he was Chairman of the Board of Directors of Amtrak. Senator Mills received a B.A. degree in Social Studies and Education, and an M.A. degree in History from San Diego State College. He was a museum curator for the San Diego Historical Society and a contributing editor of San Diego Magazine before entering politics. Through his efforts to develop the San Diego Trolley, he is often credited as “the father of modern light rail in the United States;” after leaving the legislature, he chaired the Metropolitan Transit Development Board of San Diego and became an internationally-recognized consultant on public transportation. Mills is the author of several books, including The Gospel According to Pontius Pilate; Poems of Inspiration from the Masters; Memoirs of Pontius Pilate: A Novel; San Diego: Where California Began; Historical Landmarks of San Diego County; and A Disorderly House: The Brown-Unruh Years in Sacramento. He is the father of three and the grandfather of nine.
Much of the poetry in this book is the work of great poets who were also Christians; and much of it was written by great Christians who were also poets. Included in this collection are Blake, Browning, Donne, Longfellow, Lowell, Rossetti, Tennyson, and Wordsworth, as well as many lesser-known poets, illuminating the life of Christ from His birth through Resurrection.
This compilation of poetry is a gift to all who read it…. the choice of poems is magnificent as it traces the life of Christ through the eyes of the world’s great poets. The final chapter written by the author is a worthy essay in and of itself. I recommend reading it before savoring the poems that precede it! A wonderful gift from James Mills and a fabulous option as a gift to others.
THE LAMB
By William Blake
Little lamb, who made thee?
Dost thou know who made thee?
Gave thee life, and bid thee feed
By the streams and o’er the mead;
Gave thee clothing of delight,
Softest clothing, woolly, bright;
Dost thou know who made thee?
Little lamb, I’ll tell thee;
Little lamb, I’ll tell thee.
He is called by thy name,
For He calls Himself a lamb.
He is meek and He is mild,
He became a little child.
I a child, and thou a lamb,
We are called by His name.
Little lamb, God bless thee!
Little lamb, God bless thee!