The Perfect Thank You Gift, Illustrated Poems of Encouragement and Faith

I am humbled and amazed when people contact me to request copies of my book of poems, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy.

To order directly from my printer and receive wholesale pricing, CLICK HERE.

Recently, a lady contacted me to order ten copies as thank you gifts for friends who worked with her on a committee she leads. She said the book of poems was so moving and inspirational that she felt she had to give a copy to each person.

She wanted to give something to each person after they put on a big event. In the past, she would give each one a $5.00 gift card for a donut shop or coffee shop. She decided that, although it would cost twice as much, she would make a book gift instead. She felt it was the right thing to do since several persons were going through difficult times with loss and discouragement.

I am grateful that God uses my book of poems to encourage and comfort people with His love.

I am very excited that this book of encouraging poems is now available on Amazon (see the link below). Amazon seems to be how people want to shop, so I am glad to make it available on their site. 

I did not write this book to make money but to be an encouragement to others.  That is why I priced it so low. I do not make much, and what I do make, I use to buy copies for those who need it and cannot afford it. 

© A.E. Dozat 2018

Wonderful Book of Poems of Comfort and Hope, Now on Amazon

This book is so perfect for you to give to someone who needs encouragement. And if you are looking for hope and peace in your own life you will find that this book will guide you to that place in a gentle way. The poems in Beyond These Dark lands are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope speaks to the heart of those going through struggles and hardship.

I am very excited that this book of encouraging poems is now available on Amazon, (see the link below). Amazon seems to be the way that people want to shop, so I am glad to make it available on their site. 

I did not write this book to make money but to be an encouragement to others.  That is why I priced it so low. I do not make much and what I do make I use to buy copies for those who need it and cannot afford it.

© A.E. Dozat 2018

The Author Discusses His Poem, PEACE, A Poem of Source

This poem makes a simple statement. It puts our struggles in perspective by bringing them into contrast with the peace of God.

To order my book directly from the printer and receive wholesale pricing, CLICK HERE.

TITLE
Like all the poems in this collection, this has a two-part title. First is the word "Peace." This gives a feeling of hope. The second part of the title, "A Poem of Source," is the key to understanding the poem. This part gives us a compass arrow that points to what is our source of peace.

STRUCTURE
This poem is less structured than most in my collection: it is only 20 lines forming five sentences.

Illustration for the poem, Peace, from the book
Beyond These Dark Land
are Edges of Joy
By A.E.Dozat © 2018

The first four lines ask if you will find peace when you are surrounded by so many troubles. The sixth is composed of the one word, "but," to indicate a new direction. Lines six through eleven begin to challenge our ideas of peace.
"True peace is not
Just the absence of cares,
Worries or troubles."

Lines twelve through fifteen are the voice of peace answering the challenge of what peace is and isn't.

Lines sixteen through the end concludes with who is the source of peace.

MEANING
This poem acknowledges you have problems, and they are real. You can find peace if you look for it in the correct place. Peace is not in the absence of troubles but the presence of Him, who is bigger than our troubles.

ILLUSTRATION
This poem is illustrated with a pen drawing of a tree stump with a shoot coming up from one of its roots as a statement that hope may come out of loss.

VERSE.
The scripture accompanying this poem is a classic, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid." John 14:27, NIV.

This poem will encourage anyone who wonders why they do not possess inner peace. It will show them that the source of peace is not themselves but God, and if they seek Him, they will find peace.

If you want to read this poem, it is on page 22 of my book.

© A.E. Dozat 9/13/18

The Poet Explains His Poem, The Forever Part of The Pain, From the Book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Of Joy

I wrote this poem for my book of hope and faith because I wanted to give hope that God uses your difficulties to bless you in many ways. A time may come when what remains of your pain becomes a gift for others.

To order your copy directly from the printer and receive the best wholesale pricing CLICK HERE.

TITLE
The title is in two parts, the first part is, "The Forever Part Of The Pain." It is an attempt to respect that pain leaves a piece of itself with us forever. We may recover, move on, and heal but there is something that never goes away. This is not something that should discourage us but a reality we can live with.
The second part of the title is, "A Poem of the Gift." This part of the poem is curious and makes the reader wonder what gift there can be in pain. It also suggests that it is a hopeful poem that will point to something valuable.

STRUCTURE
This poem has 26 lines. Each line is fewer than five syllables long. The first half describes the aftermath of pain and how it cools and seems to fade, "After the furnace fires of tribulation have cooled,"
The second section is only three lines and tells us that others will seek us out for this gift.
The last part, lines 18-26, are beautiful and among my favorite in the collection. They tell that the gift left by pain is something you can give to others.

MEANING

Illustration for the Poem
THE FOREVER PART OF THE PAIN
From The Book,
BEYOND THESE DARK LANDS
ARE EDGES OF JOY
© A.E. Dozat 2018

You will get over the experience, but something of pain remains. It is different for each person, and you must draw your own specific about the nature of the gift left by your own loss, it may be compassion, experience, comfort or understanding. But you wouldn't have this gift if you did not go through pain. The surprise is that this gift is not as much for you as it is for others when you share it with them.

ILLUSTRATION
There is a picture of an oak tree with a chair swing hanging from its branch. The chair swing looks like it is for two people sitting side by side. You can imagine two people may sit there to talk about their experiences.

SCRIPTURE
This poem is accompanied by a verse of scripture from the New Testament.
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NLT

This poem offers comfort that because of your pain there will remain something that you will have that will bless you and others.

If you want to read this poem it is on page 21 of my book which you can purchase below.

© A.E. Dozat 9/13/18

The Poet Explains His Poem, IT IS ALL ABOUT WHAT IS INSIDE

The poem, It is All About What is Inside, is a part of the collection of poems titled, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy. This book of poems give comfort and hope to those going through dark times. This poem is one of the ones that encourage you to think about God's purpose in sending difficulties and problems into your life.

To order directly from my printer and receive the best wholesale pricing CLICK HERE.

TITLE
The Title is in two parts. The first is, It is All About What is Inside.  At first read, it seems to have no connection to the actual poem. It was my purpose to cause the reader to think about their feelings and desires in contrast to the work of God in our lives. The second part of the title is, "A Poem about the Intent."  It refers to the reason for God's purpose in our difficulties.

STRUCTURE
This poem was written with a very simple approach and at first looks like free-verse. The 21 lines vary in length. Each line makes a single statement that weaves with those around it to develop the poem's meaning. Lines 8 and 17 are points of transition in the meaning.

MEANING

Illustration for the poem, It is All About What is Inside,
From the Book,
Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy
© A.E. Dozat 2018

This poem begins by pointing out that we have our desires, wants and the idea of what is best for us. Then we keep waiting for "God to send it."
The 8th line introduces the first "But," and we are faced with God sending something that is, "contrary to our wants." At that point, we often find ourselves fighting against God, and even asking Him to deliver us from this thing that is opposed to our desire.
Line 17 brings the next change with the second "But" and begins the conclusion. It concludes with a blunt and bold statement that God is using that very thing to bless us.

ILLUSTRATION
The illustration that I drew for this poem is of a backpack resting against a tree beside a road that leads up into the mountain.

SCRIPTURE
The poem is accompanied by the verse from the epistle of James. "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him." James 1:12, ESV

This poem, like all the poems in the collection, will give you hope that there is meaning in the problems you face and that God is working for your good through them. Anyone going through a struggle will be encouraged by this poem and book.

You can read this poem in my book Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Of Joy on page 20.

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

© A.E. Dozat 8/26/18

The Poet Explains His Poem, Your Tears Are Not In Vain.

Is there any good in crying, or is it all meaningless grief?

This is an exceptional special poem, and even though it is short and seems dark at first, it points to deep and hopeful meaning in our times of sorrow.

This poem is from the book of poems of comfort and hope titled BEYOND THESE DARK LANDS ARE EDGES OF JOY. 

TITLE
The title of this poem is in two parts, like all of my poems in this collection. It begins by acknowledging that we have sorrow and tears. It further points out that there is a purpose in our grief and sorrow. The second part of the title is A Poem of Divine Virtue, and of course, the Divine refers to God. The Virtue brings us to think of the good He does.

STRUCTURE
It is a short poem since it is 15 lines long. The lines form only four sentences. Each line is six syllables except for the last one, which uses five syllables for impact.

MEANING

Illustration for the Poem,
Your Tears are Not in Vain,
From Beyond These Dark Lands
Are Edges of Joy
By A.E. Dozat © 2018

The title gives away the meaning. But the poem develops the point with several provocative statements that define God's purpose for our tears.
The opening line challenges the common belief that sorrow is meaningless,
"Tears are a gift from God:"
Line four presents the idea that our time of sorrow is not permanent and has an end,
"For once your tears are spent
And your grieving is done..."
Then we are lead to an image in lines six through eight of becoming free from the things that grief brings to hold us back.
Line 10 begins the conclusion,
"God gave tears to teach us,
They instruct us in hope."
Lines 13 through 15 speak of the ultimate hope in God.
Truly, it says a lot in a few words.


ILLUSTRATION
The illustration for this poem is a pen drawing of a path disappearing into the distance. For a twist, the road is made not earth but flowers.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE
The scripture footnote to the page is, "Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." Psalm 126:6, NIV

This poem gives hope to those who are going through loss and suffering. It says there is meaning to our tears, and tears teach truths that only those who suffer can know.  You may find it on page 19 of the book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy Words of comfort and Hope, to read the poem.

To read a review, CLICK HERE.

YOUR TEARS ARE NOT VAIN,

A Poem of Divine Virtue

Tears are a gift from God;

They come not from weakness

But from a soul in growth.

For once your tears are spent

And your grieving is done 

Then you are ready to walk

From the cold black shackles

Whose chains bind our hearts

And keep them earthbound.

God gave tears to teach us. 

They instruct us in hope.

For surely those who weep

Are the ones who know that

Resurrection cannot

Come without a tomb.

© A.E. Dozat 8/13/18

The Poet Explains His Meaning in the Poem, Not Only Are You Known

My Poem, Not Only Are You Known, is a poem of comfort and hope that may touch you on many levels of your life.

To get it through Amazon CLICK HERE.

TITLE
The full title is, Not Only Are You Known, a Poem about God. I choose these long titles to break away from the current trend to give minimal titles and to engage the reader's curiosity from the beginning.

The long title also suggests a key to understanding the poem. For this poem, there are two keys to understanding it. First, "Known," makes the point that we are known, but there is more to it than us simply being known by some universal awareness.
The second part of the title is, "A Poem About God." This takes us away from ourselves and brings us to God. People have a naturally self-aware view of life and see things from a self-vantage point, but I wanted to take us to God's vantage point and explore His view of us.

STRUCTURE

Illustration for the poem, Not Only Are You Known,
From Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Of Joy
by A.E. Dozat © 2018

This poem is 24 lines long and forms six sentences. Most of the lines are three to five syllables. The short lines give emphasis and slow the reader down, so they do not miss the meanings in the poem. The first section is made up of five "God knows you" statements.
God knows you
With all your flaws,
And He accepts you.

Line 16 starts the second section with

And since
God knows...

The poem begins with God's general knowledge of us and then goes to His knowledge that moves Him to act for us. 

Lines 20 to the end describes God's act of sending Christ to fulfill our greatest need. That need is echoed in the theme of knowing.

MEANING
The meaning of this poem is that God knows you with all your flaws and he also accepts you completely. But he knows you have not only flaws and sins, but you have a need that you cannot meet on your own; so He sent his Son, Christ, to die as our Savior and become the answer to that need.

ILLUSTRATION
The illustration for this poem is a drawing of a cross beside a road that leads over the side of a mountain.

SCRIPTURE
The scripture that accompanies this poem is, "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world." 1 John 4:14, NIV

This poem offers comfort that you do not need to hide or run from God because He already knows you and He accepts you. It offers hope through the Gospel that Christ came to bring us to God so we can know His love.

To read the poem you may find it on page 18 of the Book Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy Words of comfort and Hope

© Adron 7/23/18