The Poet Discusses His Poem, ASKING, From the Book, Beyond These Dark Lands.

The Poem, Asking, a Poem of the Second Answer, is found on page 25 of my book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy.

I wrote this poem because I hoped it would encourage people in a certain way.

TITLE
The first part of the title is just the word, ASKING. When you are going through dark times, there are many questions you ask yourself and God. It was for those times that this poem was written.

The second part of the title is A Poem of the Second Answer. This is to make you think that we must keep on asking because there is more than the simple common answers that we at first find.

STRUCTURE
This poem is 25 lines long, and each line is four to six syllables long.

The first four lines introduce the question of "why?"
     "The question of "Why?"
     Is a heart-scream of pain."
Lines 5 through 10 acknowledges how hurtful our pain is.
Lines 11 through 17 tell us that pain is real, legitimate, and should be faced.
Lines 18 to the end tell us that there is another question to ask and it may be the most important.

The Fork in the Road
Illustration for the Poem Asking
from Beyond These Dark Lands
Are Edges of Joy

The overall style is blunt and straightforward.

MEANING
There are times in our lives when we are faced with pain, and that pain is so deep that it causes us to doubt God, life, and anything good. It is in those times that we ask the big questions. Pain starts a process in our lives and souls, but we must be sure it is only a start and that we do not stay in the place of pain. Sometimes we need to be intentional about moving on.

SCRIPTURE
The accompanying scripture is from Job, “The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” Job 17:9, NLT

ILLUSTRATION
The illustration I drew for this poem is of a road going through the countryside, and the road divides in a fork going two opposite ways.

© A.E. Dozat 2019

What Did the Author Mean in His Poem, The Perspective?

What is the poem, The Perspective, about? It is not a very complicated poem and has a simple message that anyone can appreciate, a message that points us to God.

I wrote it to help people consider how they relate to God during their struggles. I hope it helps them to see God in a larger way.

THE TITLE
What does the title have to do with the poem?  A perspective is a point of view or point of reference used to relate one against another.  The subtitle, "A Poem about the Measure," is the clue that explains the poem. It challenges you to question your focus.

STRUCTURE
It looks like free-verse, and it is even less structured than most of my poems because it is built on a popular saying that you see online often. I did not overwork it because I thought it would look like a pretentious couching of a simple saying.

THE POEM

THE PERSPECTIVE,  

A Poem about the Measure

We all face a Goliath

At some time or other

And do desperate battle.

In our feeble strength,

We flail at him with 

Puny weapons,

And find our armor

Is inadequate 

As we take dire wounds. 

Then we rush to tell God

That this demon 

Is just too big-

When all the time we should

Illustration for Poem, Perspective
From the book of poems
Beyond These Dark Lands
© A.E. Dozat 2018 

Declare to this devil 

How big our God is.

This poem is very blunt and to compensate it I wrote it in a soft voice using "we" and "our" instead of "you" and "your."

It starts out with the struggle:
"We all face a Goliath"
And
"We flail at him with 
Puny weapons,"
Then we start to get to the point at line 10,
"We rush to tell God
That this demon
Is just too big..."
The last three lines wrap everything up with a declaration of the greatness of God.

WHAT IT MEANS
When you get the book and read this poem, you will quickly see the message that we focus too much on our problems, and do not see God as big enough to conquer them.

This poem is illustrated with a road that leads to distant mountains which rise out of the mist, in the center of the road is a rock that is insufficient compared to the mountain.

© Adron 5/20/18

The Author Explains the Meaning of the Poem, His Place.

His Place, A Poem of Renewal, is found on page 9 of my book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope.

I wrote this poem to inspire people that in the trauma of difficulties we can find peace in God but we must seek Him.

To get it through Amazon CLICK HERE.

TITLE
This is one of the more simple and obvious titles. The phrase, His Place, directs us to look to The Lord. Of course, Place is not a physical location but a spiritual one.

The subtitle, A Poem of Renewal, is very important because that when we spend time with The Lord we are renewed and able to live in the world victoriously.

Illustration for the Poem His Place
from the Book, Beyond These Dark Lands,
are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope.
© 2018 By A.E. Dozat

STRUCTURE
The poem is 21 lines long and forms eight sentences; almost every line is five syllables long. The tone of admonition goes throughout the poem. It begins with an imperative in line one, you must find that place..., in line eight, you must be faithful...,  in line nine, go there...,  and in line 14 neglect not...

The fourth line describes the place, it is a silent place... and God waits...

The poem turns from describing this spiritual place to the blessing we find there, the blessing of Him... that is from being in God's presence.

The last five lines are hopeful with and emphatic. In line 19 the words you will... is not a command but a result of being in the presence of the Lord. The poem ends with a positive declaration; you will carry His light...

WHAT IT MEANS
We must be devoted to finding God, even in difficult times. If by faith we meet with Him we will carry His peace through our day.

ILLUSTRATION
The picture I drew for this is a path leading up the side of a hill where a bench sits on an outcrop of rock that overlooks the landscape below. It is an attempt to illustrate a quiet place where we might meet with the Lord.

SCRIPTURE
The footnote for the page is the scripture reference of Exodus 34:35, “The people of Israel would see the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face was shining.” It is about the time when Moses met with God on the mountain and his face was full of the brightness of having been in communion with God.

You can read this poem on page 9 of the book. If you would like to read a sample poem choose the link below for the website.

Beyond These Dark Lands 
Are Edges of Joy,
Words of Comfort and Hope
Poems by A.E. Dozat © 2018

If you are in need of encouragement or know someone who does you should order a copy today, you will glad you did.

To purchase through Amazon CLICK HERE. 

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$9.62 Plus $4.17 Basic Shipping

For large orders or digital downloads follow this link to TheBookPatch, my print on demand partner.

To find out more and read a sample poem visit my website, A.E. Dozat.com.

To read a review CLICK HERE.

© Adron 3/19/18

Can Poetry Be Used By God To Minister To Someone Who Is Discouraged?

Can God use my book of poems in somebody's life to make a difference?

GOD IS A BIG PART OF MY LIFE
God is a big part of my book of poems. I felt that the commission to write it came from Him. I was working on another collection of poems last year but felt that The Lord wanted me to do this one instead. I know a lot of people say God told them to do this or that and when it is done you really wonder why, so I approached this with great care and reverence.

As a person of faith, I feel that God must be part of everything I do. He is not just a part or afterthought but the directing energy that leads and empowers me. To do something for God in your own wisdom, or strength is not doing something for God, it is doing something for yourself; so I sought God for every word and each step in writing this book of poems.

THIS BOOK HAS QUALIFIED POTENTIAL
This book has a unique potential to be used by God.

• I drew on my experiences knowledge and the wisdom gained from following the Lord for over forty years. 
• I did research to maintain healthy and doctrinally correct content.
• I even withdrew some pieces that were not sound according to discussions I had with licensed professional counselors. 
• A friend who teaches counseling at a seminary reviewed it and I made further changes.
• Over the last year, I made many revisions to keep the message clear.

RELIANCE ON GOD
More importantly, I relied on The Lord for guidance through much prayer and searching His Word, the Bible, daily. I constantly returned to Him to seek His leading and even His censure. I listened to his "still small voice" in times of meditation and reflection.

JUST THE BEGINNING
I feel this book is in accord with God as He revealed Himself in the Bible. I've written it in a spirit of humility and obedience and believe it is something that He will use. Of course, He is God the All-powerful but He is also God the All-holy and He will not partner with sin, rebellion or foolishness but will use that which is lowly and humble.

GOD'S WORD
Every poem features a Bible verse that encourages or points to The Lord and His Christ. Putting Bible verses in the book was not a ploy or marketing hook but an expression of faith and honor to God, who said, "My word will not come back void but will accomplish that which I please." (Isaiah 55:11).

THE GOSPEL MESSAGE
God through Christ is the answer to our pain, guilt, and emptiness. I finished the book with an explanation of how to come to Christ, who by his atoning death and resurrection is the source of peace and hope for each one of us.

HOW GOD MAY USE THIS BOOK

• A friend may give it to someone who is going through a difficult time and the words of comfort may speak to their heart.
• A pastor may share it during hospital or hospice visitation, after conducting a funeral or counseling someone experiencing loss or grief.
• Copies may be placed in the lobby of a house of worship, funeral parlor, counseling center or any place of faith or service. 
• A copy might be mailed to a friend or loved one who is going through a hard time.
• It could be available in retreat centers and a person in a season of reflection may read it and hear God whisper comfort to them.
• Missionaries doing work among the poor or homeless may find it useful as a way to begin conversations.
• First responders and disaster relief counselors may find it helpful to give to victims of a natural or personal disaster.

When a person receives this book they may not then be ready to receive comfort or be open to the Lord at that moment, but it will be there when they are ready by God's spirit to read this and turn to Him in faith.

If you or anyone you know feels that you need God to speak comfort and light the way to hope in your life then pick up a copy of this book, He may use it in your heart.

(c) Adron (c) Adron 3/2/18

What is it like to finally get the book you wrote in your hand for the first time?

After working over a year on writing, organizing, revising and illustrating my book I opened up the mailbox, and there it was at last; a priority envelope with a copy of my work, BEYOND THESE DARK LANDS ARE EDGES OF JOY, WORDS OF COMFORT AND HOPE, my Collection of poems. 

On the inside, I am dancing for joy. 

I went upstairs to my desk and opened the packaging. The book looked beautiful and just the way I hoped it would be. I sat down and looked at the illustrations I made for it and was very happy with the drawings. I was able to open the book and sit in a chair and read it for the first time as an audience and not as a wordsmith full of doubts and second guesses. It was a time of sweetness and pure indulgence, it was the only worthy way to reward my work. 

The printing company, The Book Patch, did a nice job, I was afraid it would be an inferior job or second-rate, but not at all. They took my work and produced a book that would stand with pride on the bookshelf at any store. I am eager to show it to all my friends. 

I am immediately aware of the many people who helped me along the way; without their help, I would

Holding My Book
 At Last!

not have been able to accomplish this task. I am very grateful for their help and encouragement. 

But this is not the end of the road because as hard as it was to write the book I am beginning to understand that promoting and marketing it is much harder. 

Obviously, I have the blog and the Facebook page, and a website under development. But I am beginning to see that getting my book of poems to market may be the harder part of the enterprise.

I've been thinking of this project as a piece of creativity and an expression of my devotion to God and service to others. Now I have to think of this book as a product or a piece of inventory and myself not as an author but as its marketing agent. In fact, if someone were to ask me I would not say I am a poet or writer, I would say that I am a publisher in a niche market.

So the moment of elation is over. Now I am going to go and write a business plan.

(c) Adron 2/28/18