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Music Review: Interloper by Zane Vickery

Zane Vickery’s second full-length album, Interloper, is a personal work in which Vickery works to make sense and understand the purpose of his life. The album is a work, and by that I mean it is not a collection of songs, but a rock opera. Opera fits. So does, epic. Or even confession. It represents a huge effort of scale. The scale is as big as Vickery’s voice — a powerful baritone that does not…

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Keel and Beam

Here is a sonnet that came to me earlier in the week. You may listen to me read it via the player below. Set as the keel, He was placed between twoEnds, and into His arms, He took His crew;As a ship, He bore them into the seaWithin the hold of his keel and beam.Though waves break over, He holds them aboveAs on dry ground, He bears them through flood—Keeps them sunward; though dark, grey clouds…

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Isaiah 40

This past Advent and Christmas season, the Almond Tree Artist Collective has been engaged in creating works based on weekly prompts taken from Isaiah 40:1-5 which reads, Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,  and cry to her that her warfare is ended, that her iniquity is pardoned,  that she has received from the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.A voice…

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Turning Tides

Day 20’s Poetry Pub prompt for the Poem a Day Challenge is “turning tides.” You may listen to me read the poem via the player below. Our rocky planet spins in a bubble Of water and stone that travels through space In a capsule of air. And gravity, The weakest fundamental force in The universe, holds it all in together. I’m told the tides do not really turn, Rather, the earth turns in tides —…

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Sunday Evening Comin' Down

The prompt for Day 18’s Poem a Day Challenge hosted by The Poetry Pub, is “harmattan” which the dusty NE wind that blows through West Africa in the winter. The dryness and dustiness can provide a metaphor to a heart condition that I experience when I am especially tired after a day of ministry. Also, ever since I saw Larry Gatlin talk about Kris Kristofferson’s song “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down”…

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Second Joy

The Day 17 Prompt for The Poetry Pub’s November Poem a Day Challenge  is a Form Friday prompt. The poetic form is “terza rima” — a form invented by Dante Alighieri which he employs in his Divine Comedy. This poem I’ve actually been working on for four years since attending a summer class at Regent College. The class and the eight late July days in Vancouver were some of the most refreshing days…

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Nostalgia or Whatever

The Poetry Pub’s day 12 prompt for the November Poem a Day Challenge is “nostalgia.” I can’t even see that word anymore without thinking of C.S. Lewis’ sermon, “The Weight of Glory, in which he writes, In speaking of this desire for our own faroff country, which we find in ourselves even now, I feel a certain shyness. I am almost committing an indecency. I am trying to rip open the inconsolable…

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Christmas Truce

Day 11: #PoPubPAD prompt for #NovPad2023 is “Favorite Season”. In honor of Veterans Day, I offer this stanza. My favorite is the season that interrupts The present way we think things have to be-- When homesick soldiers at Christmas climb up Out of trenches, cross no mans land, and sing. © Randall Edwards 2023 Photo: British and German troops meeting in no man’s land during the unofficial…

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Solstice

Day 9’s prompt for Poetry Pub’s November Poem a Day Challenge is “solstice.” This sonnet is a tribute to all the Poetry Pub Poets who have been such an encouragement and blessing over many years. They have show me kindness and hospitality that has been life giving. And I am a grateful to the Lord for them. Write on, poets. Your words enchant and are being used in the work of Him Who Makes All…

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Wobble

Today’s Day 8 Poetry Pub Poem a Day Challenge prompt is “Equinox.” In this poem I talk about my experiences with a speed wobble while descending on the parkway. These men steadied me early on ministry. Their companionship and camaraderie continues to bear fruit in my life, especially in gratitude. You may listen to me read the poem via the player below. There is nothing like the equinox Of…

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No Time to Put Them Away

Since the pandemic, my wife and I have enjoyed Malcolm Guite‘s, Spells in the Library which he posted during the pandemic each week, but since things have normalized and schedules have returned to normal, his spells have been posted less frequently. We still love them, and are reminded of how his sharing of hospitality helped to sustain us during a difficult season. The video posted below, is…

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Bright/Dark

Poetry Pub’s November Poem a Day Challenge’s prompt for Day for is: Bright/Dark. Here’s an attempt. Noon is noon. It resists our manipulation In spite of attempts at hour inflation It comes neither late or too soon. New is new. The moon wanes each month does not listen To songs, waxes full with drips glistens Just once is a moon very blue Let it go Time is relative, is bright and…

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A Living Hope: A Meditation on Easter

Ten years ago on Good Friday.

Ten Years Ago on Good Friday. 1 Peter 3:18 “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit…” Brought to my senses by a phone call at 6:30 am, I answer the regular, morning call from my wife who will, no doubt, give me an update of the night’s activities as she continues in her recovery…

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Jesus Wept

A poem inspired by visual artist Hannah Gaskins Pabon's charcoal drawing, "He Wept."

(c) Hannah Gaskins Pabon 2023, charcoal on paper, detail from “He Wept” Hannah Gaskins Pabon’s addition to the Almond Tree Artist Collective‘s Lent and Easter art installation is titled, Another Way of Seeing, “He Wept.” This detail moved me and inspired a response below. You may view Hannah’s other work on her Instagram HERE. You may listen to me read the poem via the player below. I. King…

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Eros

This is all C.S. Lewis from The Pilgrim’s Regress.

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Thoughts on the Eyes we Use

I read a piece this week titled, “The Eyes We Use” on Shigé Clark’s Substack that moved me. The article and title got me thinking about my daughters and my wife, @jenpedwards who have been though so much. I want them to know that I see their beauty.  I am also grateful for Shigé’s vulnerabilty and honesty. Oftentimes what happens when we step out, people are inspired and what we make…

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Valentine's Day

On Birthday's

unidentified photographer, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons According to an account [of Douglass’ birthday celebration] in the Washington Evening Star, the event was held on February 28, 1888. After the other dignitaries spoke, Douglass took the stage as he twirled his glasses. “I understand from some things that have occurred since I came in that you have been celebrating my seventy-first…