Summer poets: Bono

The songs of U2 have reached millions of people, and Bono’s own faith permeates much that he writes. Here in ‘Miracle Drug’ he recalls a school classmate, Christopher Nolan, who had been deprived of oxygen for two hours when he was born, and so was born paraplegic.

In Bono’s own words 'his mother believed he could understand what was going on and used to teach him at home. Eventually, they discovered a drug that allowed him to move one muscle in his neck. So they attached this unicorn device to his forehead and he learned to type. And out of him came all these poems that he'd been storing up in his head which won a load of awards and he went off to university and became a genius. All because of a mother's love and a medical breakthrough'.

Sometimes religious thinking confines God to the supernatural, or to the so-called ‘spiritual’. Bono reminds us that Christians ought to remember that God is active in every act of goodness – from medicine to a mother’s love. Everything which is good is a miracle. And so everything in our lives – at work, at home, at rest or in play -which is good, is of God. And nothing which is good should be overlooked.

Miracle Drug

I want to trip inside your head
Spend the day there…

To hear the things you haven’t said
And see what you might see

I want to hear you when you call
Do you feel anything at all?
I want to see your thoughts take shape
And walk right out.

Freedom has a scent
Like the top of a new born baby’s head

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I’ve had enough I’m not giving up
On a miracle drug

Of science and the human heart
There is no limit
There is no failure here sweetheart
Just when you quit…

I am you and you are mine
Love makes nonsense of space
And time… will disappear
Love and logic keep us clear
Reason is on our side, love…

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I’ve had enough of romantic love
I’d give it up, yeah, I’d give it up
For a miracle, a miracle drug, a miracle drug

God I need your help tonight

Beneath the noise
Below the din
I hear a voice
It’s whispering
In science and in medicine
“I was a stranger
You took me in”

The songs are in your eyes
I see them when you smile
I’ve had enough of romantic love
I’d give it up, yeah, I’d give it up
For a miracle, miracle drug

(Miracle Drug comes from the album How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb [2004]).

(This post is part of a series or weekly thoughts over the Summer)