Tag: Faith and Creativity

“Be still”

Be still, and know that I am God. . .

Psalm 46: 10a (KJV)

Interurban Trail, Town of Holland
Sheboygan County, Wisconsin
September 8, 2019
Photos by Karl

Stuart J. Mentink Memorial Park
Oostburg, Wisconsin
September 8, 2019
Photos by Karl

Poem, Photo, and Creative Note

hosta plants grow
around the ash tree stump
an abundance of health
and new green

as if to say
we knew you would not
last the storm
we are here

there is new beauty now
new hope and a new time

I wrote the poem last week, and took the photo yesterday. They were published first in posts at Poems From Oostburg, Wisconsin. I call these poems journal poems. They flow from my heart, and I write them directly in posts. Often though, an image or personal reflection is with me for a long time, before I write. When I can write easily, it is because I am living with the images, and blessed by God’s grace in many ways. And as I pray the Psalms and read in general, my own writing grows. Rest is necessary too.

Ellen Grace Olinger

New Poetry Book by Luci Shaw

Today I am reading Luci Shaw’s new book, Eye of the Beholder: Poems (2018, Paraclete Press).

Mark S. Burrows is the Paraclete Poetry Series Editor.

Please see Luci Shaw’s Official Website for more information about her work.

Memoirs

I enjoy reading memoirs.

Cynthia Reyes – the blog of Canadian author Cynthia Reyes – wrote A Good Home: A Memoir and An Honest House: A Memoir, Continued.  I reread both books this year, and you can learn more at her site.

Luci Shaw is another author I reread, her poetry and prose.  God in the Dark: Through Grief and Beyond is a classic.  Adventure of Ascent: Field Notes from a Lifelong Journey is another generous book.  Luci’s official website has more information; see the All Titles page.  She also has a page for New Releases.

reading memoirs
and then the view
outside today

Ellen Grace Olinger