In an earlier essay, featured here on Antler, I attempted to establish the legitimacy and shape of a modern poetic-prophetic ministry. One of the claims of that piece was that a prophet does not choose their call to speak, but are themselves chosen by the Other. True as that may be it doesn’t follow that individuals can’t makes themselves more open to just such a call—or to any other form of Spirit-led service for that matter—and prepare themselves to carry it out. One of the most fundamental of these methods is the use of silent waiting.

While periods of silence may have some physiological and emotional benefits in and of themselves that isn’t our concern here. We are interested in silence as a tool—a method by which an individual may wait on the Lord, and through which the Word may come … Read More »

{Poet, Paul Willis reflects on To Blossoms by Robert Herrick}

To Blossoms

Fair pledges of a fruitful tree,
Why do ye fall so fast?
Your date is not so past
But you may stay yet here a while,
To blush and gently smile,
And go at last.

What, were ye born to be
An hour or half’s delight,
And so to bid good-night?
‘Twas pity nature brought ye forth
Merely to show your worth,
And lose you quite.

But you are lovely leaves, where we
May read how soon things have
Their end, though ne’er so brave;
And after they have shown their pride,
Like you a while, they glide
Into the grave.

—Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

Robert Herrick may not be as spiritually sincere a poet as George Herbert, but he awakens me to the beauty and pathos of nature as few other writers do.  For the wistful spirit of carpe diem, he is unsurpassable.  “To Blossoms” is one of his many … Read More »

{in this snippet of his forthcoming book “making manifest”–available april 2013–teacher, author, and poet dave harrity asks some questions that invite believers to think about what they’re adding to the world, and the creative implications of faith. if you’re in or near louisville on thursday november 29, you can catch him speaking on a panel about thomas merton and millennial faith practice at st. matthew’s episcopal church (330 North Hubbards Lane) at 7pm…}

And Mary said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord 

    and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 

 for he has been mindful

    of the humble state of his servant. 

From now on all generations will call me blessed, 

     for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

    holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

    from generation to generation. 

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; 

    he has scattered those who are proud in their … Read More »

{one of Antler’s goals is to foster discussion about poetry in religious life–offering content for faith communities to discuss, share, and contemplate. in that vein, we also give careful consideration to ministers who are thinking about using poetry and creative writing as a tool for spiritual formation. to that end, we’re going to be hearing from ministers and members of congregations as part of our “Awaken Series.” in this post, vixen of verse Sarah Wells ruminates on using artistic gifts–especially poetry–in church. this piece is pragmatic, encouraging, and an exciting start for all folks interested in mixing it up with faith and art! feel free to share!}

If you are anything like me, you are proud and excited about what the Holy Spirit has revealed to you through poetry.  You’ve set out with an idea, had that idea turned on … Read More »

{this week’s post comes to us via Jeffrey Overstreet and a Patheos blog post. after reading this post and feeling that it almost perfectly embodied the mission that we have here at Antler, Jeffery graciously gave us permission to use it. i hope that you’ll enjoy, pass it around, meditate on the importance of what it means to be a believer in a world that “God so loved”…}

I recently received an email from a young woman saying that she wanted to read my novels, but that first she needed to know if we believed the same things.

I’m still reeling from that question.

And yet, if I’m honest…

…I remember that way of thinking.

Growing up, I remember choosing which Sunday afternoon football team I’d favor by which one had a known, professing Christian on it. I remember being worried if what I read … Read More »

{for Antler’s Throwback! Series, seasoned poets will discuss their favorite poems and poets and how those poems have come to shape their poetry, their faith, and their ideas about living and writing. this week, poet Paul Willis–you can read his bio and brilliant poems here–discusses an old mainstay of English and devotional poetry: George Herbert. please take note that–because of an html issue–the poem’s spacing is off; each alternating line should be indented, like this}

The Dawning

Awake sad heart, whom sorrow ever drowns;

Take up thine eyes, which feed on earth;

Unfold thy forehead gathered into frowns:

Thy Saviour comes, and with him mirth:

Awake, awake;

And with a thankful heart his comforts take.

But thou dost still lament, and pine, and cry;

And feel his death, but not his victory.

Arise sad heart; if thou do not withstand,

Christ’s resurrection thine may be:

Do not by hanging down break from the hand,

Which … Read More »

{Antler contributor Rod Dixon follows up early posts about the ideas of poetry and prophecy with a bit of pragmatic, experimental practice. in this meditation, Dixon examine’s Louis Simpson’s poem “The Inner Part” as an act of prophetic awakening, and seeks to do some awakening himself.}

The Inner Part

When they had won the war
And for the first time in history
Americans were the most important people—
When the leading citizens no longer lived in their shirtsleeves
and their wives did not scratch in public
Just when they’d stopped saying “Gosh”—
When their daughters seemed as sensitive
as the tip of a fly rod,
and their sons were as smooth as a V-8 engine—
Priests, examining the entrails of birds,
Found the heart misplaced, and seeds
As black as death, emitting a strange odor.

________
Unfortunately the cancer in our national soul is no longer in its fetal stages, visible only to a specially … Read More »