Throughout the years, I have experienced hard days and have helplessly watched others go through much harder ones. Poetry, I found, helped express the inexpressible and unexplainable. Like a builder of cairns, what I write helps me remember what has happened and how I got to where I am. Iâm intrigued by this topic, not as an academic or a professional, but as a foot soldier deep in the trenches. I have no accolades or awards or prestigeâI have a story with troubles and burdens and pain. But I also have true hope. Real peace. And a relentless desire to forge all of it into a new poem.
C.S. Lewis will always be one of my favorite authors, but many focus more on his fiction or theology than his poetry.
But I love these poems because they are ones that tackle life, wrestle until they are out of breath, and then retreat to get a better perspective on everything.
Woven into the lines, Lewisâs imagination and thoughtfulness create parables and vignettes that let the weary reader know they are not alone in the storms that often plague this race of life.
A collection of Lewisâs shorter poetry on a wide range of subjects-God and the pagan deities, unicorns and spaceships, nature, love, age, and reason: âIdea poems which reiterate themes known to have occupied Lewisâs ingenious and provocative mindâ (Clyde S. Kilby, New York Times Book Review). Edited and with a Preface by Walter Hooper.
Similar to Lewis, I savor Henry Van Dykeâs writing.
His poems are musical, as enjoyable to hear as to read. I appreciate the sage conclusions Van Dyke often arrives at by the last stanzaâwhile some questions are left unanswered in the moment, I found this collection of his poetry to be able to reveal the poetâs growth and discoveries along the way.
Ultimately, Van Dykeâs faith flavors his pen in the midst of his problems until we find him famously saying, âJoyful, joyful, we adore TheeâŠâ
"The Poems of Henry Van Dyke" is a timeless collection that encapsulates the profound beauty of nature, love, and spirituality through the eloquent and introspective verses of its author, Henry Van Dyke. Written during the early 20th century, this anthology showcases Van Dyke's ability to blend heartfelt emotion with a keen sense of observation, often drawing inspiration from his experiences in the natural world. His poetry reflects a deep appreciation for the simple joys of life, infused with philosophical musings on faith, hope, and the human experience. Notable works like "The Dark Mountain" and "The Gift of Love" resonate withâŠ
I kind of cheated on this one because the short compilation of poems does not come until the end of some very thought-provoking insights from the pastor, but the poetry is excellent, and everything that comes before is a bonus.
Babcock struggled with depression, and while his poetry revealed his private war, it also revealed his hope. I think today many believe Christianity to be an easy road, but Babcock writes the truer tale and offers his wisdom to help his fellow sojourners keep on the path.
""Thoughts for Everyday Living"" is a book written by Maltbie Davenport Babcock, which was originally published in 1901. The book is a collection of inspirational and motivational quotes, essays, and poems that aim to inspire readers to live their lives to the fullest. The author explores various topics such as love, faith, hope, and the power of positive thinking. The book is divided into chapters, each focusing on a specific theme or topic. The author uses simple and easy-to-understand language to convey his message, making it accessible to readers of all ages and backgrounds. ""Thoughts for Everyday Living"" is aâŠ
I have not found many poets from the past that relate so well to a personâs mental suffering today, but Robinson is one of them.
His lays truly are from the heart: blood-soaked and burdened. Like the other poets I have listed, he does not shy away from hardships but instead writes his way through them.
For those wrestling with angst or fear, I especially recommend his book.
""Lays of a Heart"" is a collection of poems written by George Wade Robinson and published in 1867. The poems cover a range of themes, from love and loss to nature and spirituality. Robinson's writing style is lyrical and emotive, with a focus on creating vivid imagery and exploring the depths of human emotion. The collection includes both longer narrative poems and shorter, more introspective pieces. Overall, ""Lays of a Heart"" is a poignant and thought-provoking exploration of the human experience through the medium of poetry.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may containâŠ
This book combines two of my favoritesâstories and poemsâinto one art form.
Of special note is "Dymer," in which purpose, consequences, and the struggle between the two drive the story forward.Â
To see aspects of myself in a character is always intoxicating and unnervingâwhen they must go through various difficulties, I am left to wonder (or perhaps fear) what I myself would have done in their stead.
A repackaged edition of the revered authorâs collection of four poems: "Dymer," "Launcelot," "The Nameless Isle," and "The Queen of Drum."
C. S. Lewisâthe great British writer, scholar, lay theologian, broadcaster, Christian apologist, and author of Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce, The Chronicles of Narnia, and many other beloved classicsâwas also a talented poet. In this collection of four longer works of verse, Lewis displays his deep love for medieval and Renaissance poetry and themes, influences that shapedâand resonate throughâhis fiction.
Mr. Möbius was written over the years in waiting rooms, under gray skies, and along the wayside. The poems question and ponder time, purpose, loneliness, and holiness. Within the turbulence of trouble, the character of Mr. Möbius must stumble down the road to find true hope, peace, and life.
Mr. Möbius could be considered a cross between John Bunyanâs The Pilgrimâs Progress and C.S. Lewisâ The Pilgrimâs Regress, but poetically told and cinematically unfolded.
