Selah Poetry Podcast

I meant for this episode to be published on April 30th, so that it may still be a part of National Poetry Month, but I'm imperfect. Nevertheless, we continue talking about poetry, specifically creation, in this episode as we read Walt Whitman's poem, "O Me! O Life!" We talk about creativity as a necessity of the spiritual life. You can find the full text of the poem here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/51568/o-me-o-life

In this episode, we look at one of my poems I wrote this National Poetry Month, "Emergence." This is a poem about learning and unlearning, about God and what is not God and what masquerades as God and what we are taught is God and what is truly God. You can find the full text for the poem here: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2018/04/24/emergence/

We continue discussing National Poetry Month with Billy Collin's poem, "Introduction to Poetry." We use it to talk about the point and method of poetry, as well as the various ways we construct meaning. If you or a loved one hate poetry, this is the podcast for you. You can find the full text of the poem here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/46712/introduction-to-poetry My thanks and apologies to Billy Collins. I love this poem and love sharing it with others. It's always how I start conversations about why Poetry matters, how we've been taught it wrong, and how to approach poems.

April is the cruelest month! It's also National Poetry Month! Today we read part 1 of "The Wasteland" by T.S. Eliot, "The Burial of the Dead." We enter into a barren poem of confusing imagery and try to conjure meaning from it. We end up finding "The Son of Man" and all the implications of that. You can find the full text of the poem here: http://wasteland.windingway.org/poem#42

In this episode, we take a look at my poem, "Easter Sunday." It's not about a psalm or Walt Whitman, but it is a chance for us to talk about hope and why Christianity is centered around the resurrection on Sunday and not the death on Friday.

We continue the Psalmist Project with Psalm 77. This is a typical psalm about feeling down and abandoned by God, but then choosing to have faith in him despite that. My version of this psalm, "Necking with Nostalgia," follows that approach and is an attempt at almost a literal update to Psalm 77. We talk about vulnerability, perception, the past, and God. It's a good time. You can find the full text for the poem and psalm here: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2018/03/20/psalm-77-necking-with-nostalgia/

We read part 8 and 9 of "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman. Here, we will take apart some moments of intentionality. We'll discuss the power of noticing. We'll try to understand the divine in the clutter and chaos of everything. We'll figure out how we're all connected and why any of that matters. It should be a groovy time. You can find the full text of the poem here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45477/song-of-myself-1892-version

In this episode, we continue the Psalmist Project and look at Psalm 118 and the love of God that endures forever. From there, we look at my version of the Psalm, "Waiting," about long prayers and big answers. We talk about placing rocks like monuments and remembering miracles. This week's episode is dedicated to my sister and her newborn son. He is well worth the wait. You can find the full text of the poem and the Psalm here: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2018/03/07/psalm-118-waiting/

In Episode 23, we look at Psalm 118 and my version of it: "Steadfast." This poem is mostly about the fronts we put up when it comes to our faith. There is an artificiality to our communal life that comes when we have to pretend to be perfect Christians instead of flawed sinners in search of a Savior. You can find the full text of the poem here: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2018/02/28/psalm-112-steadfast/

In this episode we continue looking at Walt Whitman's epic, "Song of Myself." We read part 7, and discuss why anyone would say it is lucky to die. We investigate the notion of all being good, immortality, but more importantly, we remember that we are mates and companions of all. Remember: "I am the mate and companion of people, all just as immortal and fathomless as myself." You can find the full text of the poem here: http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/s_z/whitman/song.htm

In this episode we revisit Walt Whitman's epic poem, "Song of Myself." Today we look at part 6, where a child asks Uncle Walt, "what is the grass?" We get more into Whitman's understanding of interconnectedness and a surprising view of death. You can find the full text of this poem here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45477/song-of-myself-1892-version

In this episode we continue the Psalmist Project with Psalm 145. My version of this psalm is called "Compassion." The etymology of 'compassion' is 'to suffer with.' In this poem, I take a look at what it means that God has compassion on us, that he suffers with us. You can find full text of the poem and the psalm here: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2018/02/06/psalm-145-compassion/

This episode we return to "Song of Myself" and take a look at part 5. As you recall, Walt left us off discussing the part of him that is him but not him, integral to his identity but not physically located. Here he names it: his soul. We'll look into the part of ourselves which is not ourselves and the value of loafing. Like bread, but spiritual. Full text for the poem can be found here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45477/song-of-myself-1892-version

Here we read my poem about the new year titled, "To Fight Off the Cold." This is a poem of reflection about making it through a year and the preposterousness of that all. Somewhere in that, I find myself relating to a barn in Bethlehem. You can find the full text of the poem here: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2018/01/24/to-fight-off-the-cold-2/

In Episode 17 we go through the writing process of a poem I wrote around and about Christmas called "Incarnation." I read the final draft of the poem and then the first draft of the poem. From there, I explain how draft one transformed. You can find the full text of the poem here: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2018/01/16/incarnation/

We go back to Uncle Walt and his epic, 52-part poem "Song of Myself." We take a look at part 4 about the "Me myself" that is apart from all the hubbub, suffering, and striving we find in day-to-day life. Walt begins trying to find out who he is by looking at what he is not, and we follow him there a bit. For the text of this poem, you can find it here: http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/s_z/whitman/song.htm just make sure to scroll down to part 4.

In this episode, I continue the Psalmist Project with Psalm 30 and my version of it: "Rivers Like Ribbons." This is a poem about time, place, and identity. I explore identity as a beautiful braid of the past, present, and future self and talk about the rivers that make and made me. For the text of this psalm and this poem, go to: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2018/01/03/psalm-30/

We continue looking at the Psalmist Project with Psalm 28 and my version of it, "There are Rocks Everywhere." This has a relationship with Psalm 28, Bolivia, and 1 Corinthians 10:4. We look into the broken places and find the divine. You can find the full text for this psalm and this poem at my website here: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2017/12/24/psalm-28/

In this episode, we return to the Psalmist Project and Psalm 80, as well as my version of it, "Girls Make Dirt Bikes Holy." Here we look at the face of God, He looking at us, and us looking at Her. What delights God? Is it as simple as the things that delight us? For the text of the psalm and this poem, go to: http://www.selahpoetry.com/2017/12/13/psalm-80/

In this episode, I read and discuss "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman. This is Part 3 of 52. In this, I'm incredibly enthusiastic about Part 3 and apparently having a really good day. In this, Uncle Walt shows us how he is connected to everything. To him, all is one and exists in contradictions. It's confusing and beautiful and I do my best to guide you through it. In the meantime, go bathe and admire yourself. If you want the text of this poem, you can find it here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45477/song-of-myself-1892-version

Here we return to "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman. We take a look at the second part, where Uncle Walt urges us to look at the real without barrier. He also encourages us to notice the constants in our life, to increase awareness. This poem is beautiful as an example of reflection and awareness, which this podcast is all about. You can find the full text of this poem here: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45477/song-of-myself-1892-version

Here we take a look at a meditative poem designed for worship and reflection, “Holy.” This is more of an experimental form and style for a poem. It is meant to be listened to and performed. It starts as a meditation and builds into a poem. I encourage you to find a quiet place to listen to this poem. Don't waste this while in a rush. Find the time and space to reflect and listen. You can find the text to this poem at http://www.selahpoetry.com/2017/10/31/holy/ Also, I mention Ruth Fazal in this podcast. She is incredible. Here is some great stuff of hers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFjJXG7DPT8&list=PLB1IlP2mBucwXTHO9EyBUTunNr03oPNXO

In this episode, I'm honored to read and discuss Kathy Fish's flash fiction, "Collective Nouns for Humans in the Wild" This is a beautiful piece examining what humans are as a group, the good and the bad. You can find the text for this flash fiction at https://jellyfishreview.wordpress.com/2017/10/13/collective-nouns-for-humans-in-the-wild-by-kathy-fish/ If you want to read more by Kathy, please visit her website at www.kathy-fish.com Thanks Kathy!

A special episode celebrating my 5 year wedding anniversary. This episode looks at Psalm 98 and my version of it "A Joyful Noise." All of it is an ode and gift for my wife, though. I love you so much, Rebecah. Everything you do is a joyful noise. You can find the text for the psalm and the poem at http://www.selahpoetry.com/2017/10/14/the-psalmist-project-psalm-98/

I continue my break from the Psalmist Project to take a look at "Song of Myself" Part 1 by Walt Whitman as I work on reflecting and inviting my soul into the mundane after a weekend retreat. We will more than likely visit the other 51 parts of "Song of Myself," as this poem was a huge inspiration for me as a poet. You can find the text for this part, and many other parts of "Song of Myself" at https://www.poets.org/poetsorg/poem/song-myself-i-ii-vi-lii

This week I take a break from the Psalmist Project and share a poem I love from someone else, Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem, "Ulysses." This poem also invites us to pause and reflect as the hero Ulysses looks back on his life. You can find the text to the poem at https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45392/ulysses

This is episode 5 and continues the Psalmist Project with Psalm 12 and my version of is, "Words for Dinah." This poem discusses facing brokenness and not having the words to deal with that hurt. I would advise listeners that this episode does discuss sexual abuse in a vague manner. Full text of the psalm and the poem can be found at http://www.selahpoetry.com/2016/11/11/psalm-12/

Here we discuss the very last Psalm, Psalm 150. It's a great poem of praise, and, to me, is about art and creation. My version of the poem is called "Ineffable" about the moment before Genesis 1 when things didn't exist yet, but they did. There is a beautiful tension in all the things that were yet to be, but were, and had always been. You can find the full text of the poem and the psalm at http://www.selahpoetry.com/2017/09/22/psalm-150/

Another episode follows The Psalmist Project as we discuss Psalm 18 and my version of it, "What Simeon Saw." This is a poem about doubt and faith, those times God feels impossible or gone and the times he reveals himself again after a time of silence. The text of the psalm and the poem can be found at http://www.selahpoetry.com/2017/09/18/psalm-18/

In this episode we continue our work in the Psalmist Project and I discuss Psalm 27 and my rendition of it, "Confident." This is a poem about the need for faith or trust or hope in a world that often feels so fragile. You can find the text of the psalm and the poem at http://www.selahpoetry.com/2016/10/09/psalm-27/

Welcome to the first official episode of the Selah Poetry Podcast! In this episode, we start our look at the Psalmist Project, which is my attempt to write my own interpretations and versions of each Psalm. Today, I specifically talk Psalm 95 and my version of that psalm written to my son, Judah, while he was still in the womb called "God or Thunder or Louis." Feel free to see the text of this poem at http://www.selahpoetry.com/2016/10/23/psalm-95/

Welcome to the Selah Poetry podcast! This is a show where I get to talk about poetry and spirituality and try to create a space for pause and reflection. Life is busy and hectic, try to carve out fifteen minutes of your day to slow down and pause.