Surprise! Podcast Interview & A Poem

((when you say you're gonna be quiet then folks invite you to talk about poetry))

Hello & welcome to the Poetry & Made Things community. It’s great to have you here. I offer people encouragement & practices to deepen their walk with God by making friends with poetry, whether reading or writing it. (The title comes from the Greek 'poiema' meaning, 'a made thing.')

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God Speaks in Flowers

Winter daphne on a June morning, gift

Of twice-bloomed fragrance now

Beckons a closer look. I bow

In anticipation, greeted by scent, ponder how

Like resurrection this lesson is.

Anchored miniature contained nearby,

I’m schooled by nature, wonder why

We’re offered beauty without any cost

Witness miracles freely tossed,

Earthborne wonders in shrub and tree

Flower, blossom showing me

The Father’s love, no other reason

Than constancy in every season.

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When I respond to the world in writing, my poems often form themselves in free verse, my go-to for a number of years. I’ve lately been venturing into the land of rhyme and meter, encouraged and inspired by other wonderful poets here on Substack—Tyler Rogness A. Christine Myers and especially Mark Rico It’s been fun!

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Writing Connections and a Podcast Invite

Meeting in the Great Hall at Glen Eyrie Castle for the C.S. Lewis Writer’s Conference, a dream of Lancia Smith from Cultivating Oaks Press in Colorado. The room felt very Harry Potter-ish… And the busts of the stags above the fireplace—perfect, no? (Is it a bust? I am no hunter or taxidermist!)

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In May I had an opportunity to be richly filled at the C.S. Lewis Writer’s Conference in Colorado Springs. We met in a castle for three days and it was magical. Through the conversations there I connected with Danielle Mellema, lovely wife of Matt Mellema. Matt hosts The Anselm Society’s Believe to See Podcast and I offered Danielle a copy of my newest book of poetry—Mining the Bright Birds-Poems of Longing for Home¹—and told her I’d love to chat with her husband about making friends with poetry. Matt took me up on it and invited me for a conversation where we did just that. I hope you’ll give a listen to this episode of the Believe to See Podcast.

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Tell me—whether you're a reader or a writer of poetry, which do you prefer—Form with rhyme and meter or free verse?

P.S. Speaking of form poetry, next month I’ll tell you about a lovely short story collection interwoven with eight sonnets. The practice of writing in sonnets intrigues me—I have a friend who does it beautifully and I look forward to sharing more about her and her book.

See you then!

Jody

1. Mining the Bright Birds-Poems of Longing for Home and Hearts on Pilgrimage-Poems & Prayers are both available on Amazon, or you can use this link HERE to order signed copies from me. (Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page). TY!