Giant – Haiku 2024 Thursday Doors

Posted bySuzette BenjaminPosted inPoetryTags:
Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, Normandy France. Licensed image:  Daliu80 | Dreamstime

and upon that rock

a giant rose to a great height

from The builder’s stone

*

**This post contains a bonus door.

This Abbey has its own postcode/zipcode (50170), a Mayor, and is an official city. It is 3000 feet (900 meters) in circumference and stands 92 meters (302 feet) above sea level. Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, Normandy, is built on granite rock in the tidal waters between Brittany and Normandy, France.

Mount Saint Michel Abbey was built over six centuries (708 – 1523 A.D) and is, according to some, the third most visited place in France, after Paris.

*The featured doors are the main entrance turquoise green doors with a simple cross visible from a long way off. The facade stone is a deliberate blending of patterns to create the unique stone-patchwork effect.

Abbey Entrance: Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy France, Licensed image credit: © Faramira | Dreamstime

The bonus door is the downstairs entrance to the fully restored lower levels of the Abbey at the bottom of a spiral granite stone staircase. The restorations were funded by the French Government.

Interior Door to the basement, Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, Normandy. Image credit: Jorge Láscar | Flickr CC4.0

Trivia #1: The legend of how Mont-Saint-Michel mountain came to be.

The story of Gargantua, The Giant

So as the story goes several millennia ago….

The mount now called Mont-Saint-Michel did not exist. Then one day a giant named Gargantua was walking along the marshy tidal waters area.

As he walked, his shoe began to bother him as three stones had collected in one of his shoes.

Gargantua promptly shook off the shoe…and as the story goes, the three rocks tumbled to the ground and the Earth created three mountains in the area (between Brittany and Normandy)— Tombelaine, Mont-Dol, and Mont Saint Michel which overtime all three became islands.

You may have heard of Gargantua from other legends. His parents Grand Gosier and Galemelle according to folklore had been close friends with Merlin and King Arthur.

Trivia: #2: Many famous guests have visited Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey over the years, including Ernest Hemingway and Yves Saint Laurent, both of whom reportedly frequented the famous La Mère Poulard’s kitchen known for its omelette baked over a wood hearth, located on Mont-Saint-Michel continuously since 1831.

Extra Fact: Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey is home to much wildlife including birds, goats, and sheep. See the image below.

Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey, Normandy, France. Licensed image credit: © Plotnikov | Dreamstime

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ThursdayDoors
In Primo piano
Image credit: www. freepik.com

Published by Suzette Benjamin

Positive thinker, inspirational, writer, faith

60 thoughts on “Giant – Haiku 2024 Thursday Doors”

  5. Pingback: Giant – Haiku 2024 Thursday Doors | Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News

  6. Turquoise green has always been a favorite color of mine. A feeling of splendor overcomes me whenever I see great works like the main entrance doors of Mont-Saint-Michel painted in this hue. Strangely, I seldom choose to wear turquoise green, yet I adore watching the ocean when it reflects this color, full of life and mystery.

    It’s no surprise the abbey’s doors were painted in the color of the sea, given that Mont-Saint-Michel rises from granite rock amidst the tidal waters between Brittany and Normandy, France. The chocolate-brown downstairs door beautifully contrasts with the main entrance, grounding the grandeur in earthiness.

    Your haiku brings to mind Psalm 118:23, where the psalmist poetically declares, “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” The metaphor captures the paradox of divine grace—a theme I also find echoed in the legendary tale of Gargantua the giant, a striking contrast to the Psalmist’s narrative.

    Mont-Saint-Michel is now firmly on my fantasy-list of places to visit. I’d savor the experience, from marveling at the architecture to enjoying a light and fluffy omelette. It’s amazing how such cathedrals have long inspired writers and artists alike. The Church of old, with its open spaces for grazing goats and singing birds, welcomed creativity and allowed grace to flow freely.

    “A giant rose to a great height,” as your haiku says, is a beautiful reflection for this Thanksgiving Day—a day to honor the past and give thanks for all that uplifts the spirit.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes! I feel a similar set of emotions about seeing turquoise green, recalling days by the ocean too. Even though I live nowhere near an ocean now, the color brings back kind memories. I totally relate.

      Well said that the choice of door color, like the brickwork, was carefully thought through. I had not thought to make the connection to the tidal waters all around (most of the time) Mont-Saint-Michel. Thank you for that connection.

      “The metaphor captures the paradox of divine grace” – brilliant point, and your connection/thought of the psalm is spot on fabulousness!! It resonates a connection to the scripture… how amazing is it that legend/folklore presents biblical stories… fascinating!

      So glad that it inspires thoughts worthy of any kind of travel to this outstanding spectacle of genius construction, no doubt through many struggles to produce the shape and expanse of the Abbey.

      An amazing place full of story and legend, but one that brings home the idea and sentiment of giving thanks for what one has in the vastness of nature’s beauty and marvels.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad you found points of interest Maggie. It is a blessing to share on doors and try, try to tell their building’s stories. Thank you for your support and kind grace. May your day be bliss beyond expectation, my friend!

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Those feelings about the ocean are very familiar. I could sit for hours simply watching the waves, and I’ve often done so in the past. It’s fascinating how the ocean shifts, its blues and greens reflecting the weather’s mood that day. Sadly I hardly travel to the coast these days. I miss the ocean especially the coast from my hometown.

    It’s true that folklore often carries a biblical connection. With the fervor of storytelling and scripture reading, it’s no wonder legends grew from the Holy Writ.
    Your haiku brought me back to the Psalms, where I found myself lingering. Meditating on Psalms or other poetic scriptures often feels like stepping into a sanctuary.

    Today’s study of the abbey was truly enriching, a reminder to meditate on the virtue of thankfulness.
    Thank you once again for sharing
    Have a lovely day.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I cannot express the warmth it gives me to read that the little bit shared into the WP blogsphere brings moments of recollection and reflection. I am grateful beyond any words. Thank you for that. Your comments are matchless in their grace. I am honored that you found good purchase in lingering in the psalms; yet another wonderful place to “sit” in the word. And a lovely day to you.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yes it does. And it is so good for the spirit to daily ponder the authentic works of poets and writers here on WP, recollecting and reflecting.
        Yes Poet, I love reading through the Psalms. They stir the soul.
        Thank you. Enjoy the rest of your day.
        My phone is on empty I need to recharge.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Yes Poet and a collection of sacred poetry. A prayer book and a song book.
        Its verses are a sanctuary of praise, lament, and thanksgiving.
        Writings to the Divine.

        My phone is far from being fully charged, – 35% – since I’m using it in between.
        You are welcome.

        Liked by 1 person

  9. I love the poem, Suzette and the history, and I always appreciate a bonus door. More than that, reading that the restoration was paid for by the government makes me smile. Our government usually waits for private contributions to preserve history. I also appreciate the folklore. Easy to believe – I hate having stones in my shoes.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m so delighted that you liked the poem, Dan. I was thrilled to learn that the French government routinely funds places it deems of national importance, regardless of denomination, and covers their upkeep and often hefty restoration costs. It’s amazing. I’m not sure our government here would be as keen. I can totally relate to your comment.
      I’m glad you enjoyed the trivia and the story of this storied Abbey. I can totally relate to the feeling of having stones in my shoes too.
      Happy Thanksgiving Day! I also celebrate it on this side of the border. I like the idea of having two Thanksgivings (October and November)…LOL!

      Liked by 1 person

  10. A beautiful haiku, and so is the place, Suzette! Love the bonus door and other interesting facts. Happy Thanksgiving! Stay blessed always!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Well Suzette I really enjoyed reading this the history, folklore and the facts were truly very interesting. I really enjoyed this very much.

    I have visited there and so know it is a truly magical place.

    💜💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, I am so happy truly to hear you enjoyed the share, Willow. You are very blessed to have visited this precious place. It is on my list. Magical sounds about right as the perfect description.

      Blessings and peace to you, Willow.
      Thank you for your support.

      Like

    1. Oh that is awesome! You are very blessed Liz. Thank you for your beautiful insight…”I could reach up and touch Heaven” Hallelujah!!

      I truly appreciate you taking the time so much for sharing your experience Liz. Bless you!

      Liked by 1 person

  19. “Upon that rock” was a natural here, wasn’t it? A beautiful subject, especially framed in the legend. I had never heard that story though I knew of Gargantua. Again I marvel at the mere thought that something took centuries to build. What faith and vision!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes Maureen, spot on! That verse/phrase was the best way I could think of, to begin…thank you for noting. I am with you that the idea of ‘patient’ building takes on a new level of meaning when something takes centuries to build…and turns out looking almost heavenly and harmonius in presence form and style.

      Liked by 1 person

  21. Pingback: Giant – Review | Adam Fenner

  22. Hi Suzette,

    I thoroughly enjoyed your poem, particularly its connection to history and Arthurian mythology. It left a strong impression on me, and I wanted to share my thoughts in a review on my own page, where I focus on poetry both past and present.

    I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve included a link to the review below. If you’d prefer that I take it down for any reason, please don’t hesitate to let me know.

    Congratulations on your continued success, and I look forward to seeing more of your wonderful work.

    You can find the review here.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you.Adam, for the wonderful review and comment. You are more than welcome to link /repost. And I appreciate your thoughtfulness for the heads up. Wishing you continued success. Cheers.

      Like

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