In July or August I plan to self-publish my next book, Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. I have looked forward to printing this book. Writing the poems in this collection challenged me more than almost anything else I’ve written; I also feel that some of them represent my best work. Today’s poem isContinueContinue reading “Psalm 102”
Tag Archives: Christianity
As Kingfishers Catch Fire
This week, I watched a video about understanding poetry (yes, poets need help with that too 😆). The example poem was “As Kingfishers Catch Fire” by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Hopkins has been a favorite of mine for a number of years, but I never chanced across this particular poem. There are so many things toContinueContinue reading “As Kingfishers Catch Fire”
Tuba Mirum (Wonderful Trumpet)
“Christ is risen!” “He is risen indeed!” This exchange is traditionally heard between Christians of all stripes on Easter. Later this year, I plan to self-publish Voiceless Choirs: Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs. This book will include a series of poems based on Mozart’s Requiem Mass. Requiem masses are Catholic funeral services and include themesContinueContinue reading “Tuba Mirum (Wonderful Trumpet)”
Death, be not proud
With Easter approaching, the Christian hope of resurrection is on my mind. This means poems about resurrection are also on my mind. John Donne’s poem, “Death, be not proud” is a favorite sonnet of mine in which he tells death, “You ain’t all that.” After comparing death to sleep and other temporary forms of drowsiness,ContinueContinue reading “Death, be not proud”
A Crown for Abba Moses
Often, one thing leads to another. I was reading the draft of a friend’s book, which contained a quote by 4th century monk, Abba Moses: “‘Go, sit in your cell, and your cell will teach you everything.” I was really struck by this quote, so I looked on Amazon to see if I could findContinueContinue reading “A Crown for Abba Moses”
The Heretic
In my last two posts, I shared poems from my first and second books, so I thought I’d keep going and share a poem from my third book, Shadow and Memory. Today’s poem is called “The Heretic,” and I’ve been thinking about it because I’m reading Early Christian Doctrines by JND Kelly. If you’re interestedContinueContinue reading “The Heretic”
Fatherhood
Happy Father’s Day to all you fathers out there! This year, I received the gift of poetry. My wife has been known to write a poem when the mood takes her, and she wrote me a lovely haiku for Father’s Day ❤️ Haiku is a favorite form of mine, and in this sparse space, myContinueContinue reading “Fatherhood”
Stars
My son, who has a budding interest in astrophysics, has been learning about black holes and stars. The other day he relayed what he had found out about the black hole in our own galaxy, superstars, and theories about the origins of the largest black hole discovered (to date). I won’t say I carried myContinueContinue reading “Stars”
Dyed in Faith
The semi-sabbatical I took in April is over. I was loath to see it end, but it was the time of rest and prayer I needed. As a result, I decided to reduce my schedule going forward so I can continue to give more space to God and my family. Years ago, I wrote aContinueContinue reading “Dyed in Faith”
Yule-icide
How did it get to be the week before Christmas? This year, I feel like every holiday (not to mention birthdays) snuck up behind me in stocking feet and yelled, “BOO!” There wasn’t time to prepare, decorate, buy things…only time to be startled and jump. Below is a poem I wrote last year during Christmas andContinueContinue reading “Yule-icide”
