The Great Devotional Poetry Project

You know that thing called New Year’s Resolutions? I normally don’t make them, and I don’t see that changing any time soon. However, back in December I had an idea for something like a resolution. I’d written a few poems based closely on scripture over the years,* and I always really enjoy those poems when I’m done with them. I have scripture references or quotes in most of my poems, so I’m not talking about that, exactly. I’m talking about something rooted a bit more deeply in the text over the course of the whole poem, as in my Isaiah 65 poem. 

Write to Publish

On Saturday, I went to Portland State University's 'Write to Publish' conference. It was the 10th anniversary of the inaugural event and, having graduated from the publishing Master's program last June, I was invited not only to be a vendor, but also to sit on a panel of freelancers.

I've never gotten any business tabling at this particular conference - it's relatively small, and few of the attendees are writers looking for freelancers - but I like to support the program and stay involved in this small way. And by going, I get to meet or reunite with other vendors, which is always fun.

Writer's Tools - The Poetry Notebook

Ah, the pleasure of writing longhand. Even the Tok'ra Anise kept a journal because her host Freya enjoyed the "tactile sensation of handwriting.* I used to write everything by hand, then type it up later. I remember in high school I wrote a middle grade fiction book, all in notebooks, double-spaced so I had space to add or change things if I needed to. Obviously, that used up a lot of paper and a lot of time. Later on, I went digital and did all my writing directly onto the computer (unless I wasn't near a computer). Except for poetry. For whatever reason, I still hand-write all my poems.

New Poem: In Peace

The beginning of this poem is taken from Psalm 4:8 - "In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." (ESV) I started with the first bit and built from there, obviously branching off pretty quickly. I wasn't sure what I was going to write about before I started, but I think it turned out alright.


In Peace

In peace I will lie down and sleep,
But peace feels far away,
And I don’t know how I have walked
So long on feet of clay.

They’re crumbling beneath me now,
Refusing to convey
My soul of lead another inch
Along my chosen way.

I curse them but I bless them too;
I know who they obey.
I close my eyes and find that I’ve
Forgotten how to pray.

I ran from all you have for me –
I led myself astray –
Pursuing any vanity
That might keep me away.

So now you’ve stopped me in my tracks
To hear what you would say.
Restore my trust and I will turn
To meet you on the waves.