Francis and Clare in Poetry: An Anthology
Saint Anthony Messenger Press (August, 2005)
Francis and Clare in Poetry: An Anthology is a comprehensive collection of poems written by and about Saints Francis and Clare. The poetry in this anthology is as timeless and memorable as the masters who wrote them.
(from back cover)
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Christianity & Literature
West Georgia College (2001)
Special Fiftieth-Anniversary Poetry Issue, guest edited by Jill Palaez Baumgaertner
Place of Passage:
Contemporary Catholic Poetry
Story Line Press (2000)
The spiritually satisfying and intellectually challenging poems in this anthology exhibit the range of Roman Catholic poetry being written today, from the striking devotional poetry of Pope John Paul II, to the translucent, soul-awakening poems of Gabriela Mistral. Arranged by use of the liturgical calendar, the feasts and season of the Church are interpreted and reflected upon by well-known poets such as Annie Dillard and Denise Levertov, as well as by talented emerging poets. Wrought with poems of struggle as well as poems of triumph and joy, this anthology addresses the idea of spirituality as explored through poetry.
(from back cover)
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From The Dark Forest
Julia, Jennifer, & Howard McCord
Malpais Press (1997)
Upholding Mystery:
An Anthology of Contemporary Christian Poetry
David Impastato
Oxford University Press (1996)
Most readers of contemporary poetry would agree with literary critic Helen Vendler that "there is no significant poet whose work does not mirror, both formally and in its preoccupations, the absence of the transcendent"--that no major modern poet writes religious poetry. Indeed, the very idea that a vital Christian poetry might arise within our thoroughly secular culture seems almost inconceivable. Is it possible that a body of Christian poetry is now being produced whose literary merit is equal to its religious conviction? David Impastato's splendid anthology, Upholding Mystery, answers that question with a resounding and surprising "yes."
From Andrew Hudgins' often humorous narratives to Geoffery Hill's darkly impassioned lyrics, from Denise Levertov's incisive personal and political insights to Wendell Berry's lovely evocations of the divine presence in nature, Upholding Mystery offers readers a wide range of both poetic and spiritual satisfactions. Featuring only poets who are currently writing--including such well-known poets as Richard Wilbur, Annie Dillard, Daniel Berrigan, Les Murray, and Louise Erdrich, along with the impressive though less-known voices of David Craig, Scott Cairns, and David Brendan Hopes--this superb anthology provides generous selections of work that is admirable equally for the stature of its verse and for its illumination of the Christian ethos. By limiting the number of poets included, this collection allows readers to gain a thorough familiarity with each poet's work and to see how each struggles with, celebrates, and embodies a vision of the sacred throughout a personal body of verse. In addition, editor David Impastato provides brief, accessible, extremely helpful introductions that highlight the specifically Christian concerns of the poems, and he organizes the book into sections dealing with such topics as The Cross, Transformation, Injustice, Presence, Praise, The Mystical Body, and so on, thereby giving the reader a coherent theological journey as well as the pleasurable experience of the individual poems.
Here, then, is a contemporary encounter with Christian mystery, in poetry that is as vibrant, as compelling, and as meaningful as any being written today. David Impastato has done an invaluable service in showing that the transcendent is indeed alive and well in the hands of contemporary poets, despite reports to the contrary, and in gathering a dazzling array of poems that will appeal in equal measure to religious and literary readers alike.
(from book description)
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Voices of Cleveland
David Evett, Rita Grabowski, Ted Lardner, Donna Phillips, Barbara Sones, & Leonard Trawick
Cleveland State University Poetry Center (1996)
ClareSong
Fr. Murray Bodo, OFM
Ottocento Press (1994)
Poems in Honor of the 800th Anniversary of the Birth of Clare of Assisi
Odd Angles of Heaven:
Contemporary Poetry by People of Faith
Harold Shaw Pub (1997)
Poetry begins in the world of the natural-what is around us, in our hearts and imaginations. But the special gift of the poet is to see more than what is there--to go beneath to deeper meanings, to talk about dark nights, epiphanies, and spiritual quests. Odd Angles of Heaven provides a broad spectrum of some of the finest contemporary poets. As they speak with truth, courage, and conviction, you will find handholds for your own spiritual journey.
(from back cover)
This book is available for purchase on Amazon.com [Click here]
Wrestling With The Angel
Lamar University (1988)
A Widening Light
Luci Shaw
Harold Shaw Publishers (1984)
I can think of no other anthology which celebrates with such intensity the entire drama of the Christian faith. Here we have a host of poets praising God, and saying "Glory to God in the highest." A Widening Light moves the reader through recognitions and meditations toward prayer.
- Harold Fickett, author A Holy Fool
A Widening Light ranks as one of the very best anthologies of Christian poetry. Unlike traditional anthologies tied to a historical representation, this volume is filled with vigorous, fresh work, all marvelously organized around the birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ. Quite simply put, A Widening Light is an exciting and satisfying work.
- John H. Timmerman, autho of Shaper