Holy Poetry | Substack
SubscribeSign in
Feel free to forward this to your frenemy.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Dear Friend, who hates me
1
Bruce! Singer, songwriter, theologian.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
My Favorite Bruce Springsteen Line
2
The kind of note that stops the rush of the day. A pause for gratitude.
Frank, everyone has already said everything in my heart about this poem. Martin's right when he says "one of your best."
I'll add one more heartfelt reaction, so that others who might share it know they are not alone. It is heartbreaking to be called, yet not invited to share in priestly ministry. AND, I am so very grateful that you publi…
1
If only we could speak heart to heart across our political and religious divisions.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Heart Speaks to Heart
3
1
Grace before meals.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Upscale Café
1
A trinity of ways to think about the Trinity.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Three Ways to See the Trinity
2
A new way to see Pentecost.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
New Vessel
Believe it or not, a poem for Pentecost.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
New Vessel
1
God is love. How can a person who hates convert anyone to God?
Sometimes a shot full of holes faith can still have enough substance to cast a shadow.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Ascension
1
Happy Mother’s Day! “After Shopping” by Bruno Lucchesi, B. 1926. On the campus of Fordham U. Manhattan.
2
1
The Third Person of the Trinity doesn’t get enough credit.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
The Advocate
Here’s what I’m studying these days: Rilke’s I am much to alone in this world. He does some very interesting moves in this poem.
I Am Much Too Alone In This World by Rainer Maria Rilke read by A Poetry Channel - YouTube
Tap to unmute
I Am Much Too Alone In This World by Rainer Maria Rilke read by A Poetry Channel A Poetry Channel
A Poetry Channel23.8K subscribers
Someone to speak for us and to us and through us.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
The Advocate
2
You never know the mystery of God but we all have our images. The image we have determine how we make our way through the world.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Magistrate or Magician
2
The first dawn after the last night of your life.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Cribs
3
1
A poem not about rumor but revelation.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Gossip
2
What does leadership look like? Leading from behind.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
The Shepherd’s To Do List
3
William Shakespeare, b. April 23, 1564
One of my favorite Shakespeare quotes is “To thine own self be true.”(Polonius to Laertes in Hamlet, Act 1, Scene 3.) This is a quote I use in a true-false game I play called. “In The Bible?”
What’s a favorite Shakespeare quote of yours.
A new view of the story of two on the road to Emmaus with Jesus.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
On The Way
3
Theoretical physics or theology?
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
String Theory
2
A poem of hope.
Spring Song, Lucille Clifton - YouTube
Tap to unmute
Spring Song, Lucille Clifton Gerry Hendershot
Gerry Hendershot5 subscribers
1
1
I love these re-imaginings of the Bible’s poetry book
Psalm 43—It wasn’t away from my wreck that I found you, but in the middle of it.
1
A poem inspired by a Tai Chi posture and Easter.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
White Crane
1
The Original Easter Message is the best. This one is also excellent. Thank you Martin Casella
The stone speaking is a clever and moving device. It made me smile and it moved me to tears. Thank you, Frank! Happy Easter.
1
A poem for this Sunday. It is finished.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Consummatum Est
3
1
There are things I wish I could unsee.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Invisible Realities
1
As I’ve heard said, “my mind is a darkroom where I go to develop negatives.”
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Come Out
2
1
A poem for a bad hair day.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
God Given Trait
5
1
“In certain ways writing is a form of prayer.”—Denise Levertov
My favorite collection of Denise Levertov is The Stream and the Sapphire: Selected Poems on Religious Themes. The poems are in chronological order and show her spiritual growth over time.
2
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Work of Art
This comment would make any poet’s Ash Wednesday a good day. holipoetry.substack.com…
I love this poem. Talk about an "unpopulated genre"! The poem written from the point of view of the priest during sacred ritual. It's both beautiful and stunning. Much appreciated!
2
Today’s poem.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Work of Art
1
Here’s one from the archives.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
The Day After Valentine’s Day
A meditation on non-romantic love as we approach Valentine’s Day.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
How to Love Your Enemy
3
No matter how dark the world gets you can still share the reflected light of the one who is unborrowed light.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Light of the World
Judas’ silver invested in a Super PAC.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Thirty Pieces of Silver
1
1
A Beatitudes Poem for this Sunday.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Blest Are You
Encouragement #58! Doing well encourages me to do better.
What do you call a poem whose title has a double meaning?
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Ice Out
5
Who will be the Emmett Till of this generation?
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
The Kind of Hate
3
A question for subscribers and non-subscribers, whose version of creation do you subscribe to?
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Creation: Whose Version
1
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Two Kings of Memphis
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Two Kings of Memphis
A poem for this Sunday.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Confused By Christ
1
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the King of Rock and Roll. Also, a shout out to the King of the Blues, B.B. King, who played on Beale St. often enough. substack.com/@frankdpoe…
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Two Kings of Memphis
1
Maria, Thak You. Unlike most of my poems which have a long gestation, multiple drafts and revision process Two Kings of Memphis was written on Monday, workshoped and produced on Tuesday and posted this morning, Wednesday, to honor Dr. King.
Brilliant. Just like last Wednesday's poem, the last line threw me for a loop. Thank you.
1
Thanks Craig! You got it.
Thanks for sharing. I was glad I got to hear it!
Here's my take: you turn a compliment into a spiritual crisis with wit and precision. The guru's blessing becomes a curse because now the speaker must actually be what he's been called, every prayer becoming like an integrity audit. The pivot to "Thank God he didn't say I was holy!" is both…
1
A friend quoted Thomas Merton to me, “God protects us from nothing and sustains us in all things.” He said he heard it on a podcast from James Finley. Has anyone heard this before or know where the quote comes from?
1
1
holipoetry.substack.com… This reaction to my poem made my day. Thank You Maria!
Frank! I screamed "Oh my God!!!" at your last line. And that exclamation was really a prayer of gratitude and thanksgiving. This poem holds the heartbreaking and glorious paradox of human existence up to the light. I am not exaggerating when I say it's the most hopeful thing I've heard or read in a VERY long time. "Holy Paschal Mystery, Batman!"
For all the nature lovers and people in 12-Step programs.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
He Loved Nature Like Crazy
I enjoy reading a woman’s perspective on Mary’s pregnancy, a theology from the womb.
Third Trimester
Meditation on the word Virgin for Sunday.
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Virgin
Despite the mess…
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
Joy Coming to Meet Us
2
A notebook is always with me and when a line of poetry comes I capture it before it can escape. I so enjoy when I find a home for it in some poem. Thank you for yours.
Your life's not about you
1
A poem for the Second Sunday of Advent
Playback speed\ \ 1×\ \ Share post\ \ Share post at current time\ \ 0:00\ \ /
The Gifts of The Holy Spirit
5