I don’t remember how she heard about him, but my wife introduced me to Christian Wiman, and played a recording of him reading his poem, “All My Friends are Finding New Beliefs.” Wiman is a Christian, but I doubt he would fit in anyone’s theological box. His seems a very searching faith whose hunger forContinueContinue reading “2047 Grace Street—Christian Wiman”
Category Archives: Spiritual / religious poetry
The In-Beyond-Within
Spiritual things are among the most difficult for me to write about. There is not really a point of reference for spiritual realities in the world we know by sense experience. At best, sense experiences can provide analogies or imagery for spiritual things. Jesus Himself acknowledged this when He said, “If I have told youContinueContinue reading “The In-Beyond-Within”
Dream Land—Christina Rossetti
I became acquainted with Christina Rossetti’s poetry while reading The Oxford Book of Christian Verse earlier this year. While her poems were written before the age of free verse, I was struck by how natural her language is—she avoids awkward word order to fit a poem’s meter or rhyme scheme. Some of her imagery isContinueContinue reading “Dream Land—Christina Rossetti”
The Lost Wind
I don’t always grasp the full meaning of things I’ve written. That might sound odd. But sometimes, I’ll finish a poem, and it feels right but I don’t understand why. I might only realize later why a verse had to end a certain way or why an odd word choice is nevertheless exactly what’s calledContinueContinue reading “The Lost Wind”
The Vineyard Published!
In a previous post, I mentioned my poem “The Vineyard” would appear in Heart of Flesh Literary Journal, Issue Seven. Friday, May 6, was the publication date! Please check out this issue. I got a sneak peak and found several excellent poems. I look forward to reading others. Of those I read so far, myContinueContinue reading “The Vineyard Published!”
The Difference Is the t
As a Christian, Jesus is a very real presence in my life and writing. Spirituality isn’t the only subject I write about, but it is the backdrop for everything I think or pen. Christians believe every person born has good and evil hopelessly combined within. It is like a cup of water that someone hasContinueContinue reading “The Difference Is the t”
Dream Sonnet III
Last year I decided to write some poems with biblical images whose connection was inward more than outward. I hoped they would have a dream-like quality. As I started writing, I decided to use a traditional form—the sonnet—to contrast with the unusual imagery. The result was four sonnets that I collectively titled, “Dream Sonnets.” IContinueContinue reading “Dream Sonnet III”
A Wandering Minstrel 