The Poet Discusses A Poem From the Book Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Of Joy

When Battle Plans Go Bad, it is a poem on page 24 of my book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy. If you are discouraged this book of poems will give you hope.

TITLE
The first part of the title, When Battle Plans Go Bad, tells you that this poem is about a struggle that does not turn out well. The second part of the title, A Poem of Success, turns it around. It has a suggestion that there is something about losing a battle that is successful or maybe it is perspective.
It makes you think that perhaps there is a success in our failures.

STRUCTURE
This poem is 24 lines long and each line is less than seven syllables long.
The first eight lines give a picture of the situation we often face
"You feel that
failure follows you
like a stalking hound"
But lines 9 through 17 turns our attention to God who knows your situation with understanding and a solution.

Illustration for a poem,
When Battle Plans Go Bad
From Beyond These Dark Lands
Are Edges of Joy,
© A.E Dozat 2018

Lines 18 through the end offers the hope of giving God your "broken life" and receiving His answer.

MEANING
This poem assures us that God knows your hurt and He already has a solution to your need. At the heart of this poem are the lines,
But God knows your mess.
He understands
And answers
With love,
Acceptance,
Atoning sacrifice,
And an empty tomb.

IMAGE
My drawing for this poem shows a scene of a road entering a landscape where a battle was fought. Broken swords and weapons litter the sides of the road.

This poem assures the reader that there is a victory ahead in spite of our failures.

I chose this scripture to accompany my poem.
“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57, NLT

If you want to read this poem it is on page 24 of my book which you can purchase below.

© A.E. Dozat 2019

How an Uber Driver Will Use My Book of Poems in His Ride-share

Why my uber driver friend gives out copies of my book of poems to his riders. 

Let me tell you about it.

Sometimes I work on my writing at one of the cafe areas at the local shopping mall. Glancing up I saw somebody smiling as they approached me. After a moment I realized that this was a dear friend. I asked him to join me and we caught up on what we both have been doing.

My friend is a man of faith and he shared that God is working in his life, some things have gone well and others have not; but he still sees God's loving touch in it all. He explained that driving for uber has helped him to make ends meet. He was excited that driving for a ride-share has given him opportunities to talk to people. Grinning, he said, "It's like I'm a bartender, everybody tells me their problems. They just open up." He offers them the kindness of a listening ear and every day he tells others about his faith in God.

I felt that God was speaking to me to give him some extra copies of my book of poems of encouragement, and his face lit up. He told me that it was a great idea to give copies to people who rode in his uber and that he would keep a few in the back of his car for his riders..  He reminded me that there are times when such a book will speak to someone's heart in ways that a sermon or minister couldn't. He said he knew people would be blessed and encouraged by the poems in the book. He said that just having copies for his riders to see will open up doors of opportunity to speak about God.

Of course, I appreciated the encouragement and felt very humbled by his praise. I hope he has many opportunities to share his faith and the book. I pray that God will be honored and people will be encouraged.

To order my book at wholesale directly from the printer CLICK HERE.

I am very excited that this book of encouraging poems is now available on Amazon. 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

Why I Give Poetry to the Homeless

I am glad to share my book of poems with people, and it fills me with joy to share it with someone who is feeling down or oppressed. It is a book of encouragement and hope, and ideal for those who are needy.

While stopped at a light a homeless man with a sign asking for handouts approached the car. I gave him five dollars, and a copy of my book of poems of encouragement and hope. There was only a moment of time before the light would change, but I took the moment to tell him that I wrote this book of poems for him and I hoped it would give him encouragement and hope. He was grateful and said that he is looking forward to reading the poems.

I do not know what he appreciated more, the book or the five dollars, but I was glad for the encounter. If my life was different, it could easily have been me standing there asking for hand-outs. He is a man who is made in the image of God just as I am, he is a man whom my Savior died for and a man who once had a mother just like me. But I had an opportunity to show him some kindness. I hope that when I am in the time of need others will reach out to me too.

I know that my book encourages people who read it. People who read it tell me that it inspires them and that it helps in their troubled times.

I hope that he gets on his feet and finds happiness, and I hope he finds faith in a loving God.

I give this book away at every opportunity as an act of love, and sell it for as low a price as I can so others may do the same.

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 1/6/18

How She Used a Poem For a Thanksgiving Blessing After Her Time of Loss

When she told me her plans I felt like falling on my knees and raising my hands to heaven and exclaiming, "I am not worthy."

Her husband was a pastor for a lifetime, and his passing was a loss felt by many. His eloquence and gracious speech were as legendary as his nobility and integrity. Holidays are a season when a missing loved one is felt in its sharpest and deepest pain. Often, those left behind must deal as best as they can, and his passing will be very hard on them.

One of his traditions was to say the Thanksgiving blessing for a large gathering of family, nieces, in-laws, and friends. This year, the Thanksgiving blessing was in danger of being unsaid because no one felt comfortable taking the place of someone they so revered. No one felt they had the eloquence or right to take his place.

His widow worried that not saying the blessing would dishonor his memory and cheapen a treasured tradition, and even worse, it would dishonor God, for whom the very holiday is meant to celebrate.

Then she got an idea. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense to her. She would ask one of the relatives to read a poem she selected from my book of comforting and encouraging poems. She bubbled with excitement as she told me.

It was the perfect solution for her. No one would have to come up with eloquent words or fear they would say the wrong thing. Since many of the poems speak of God's provision of comfort, she could find one that was ideal for the Thanksgiving Holiday and deal with their loss. Since each person is in a different stage of grieving and the poems all focus on God as the answer for our broken lives she felt reading one would respect and touch each person where they are in that process.

I was humbled to hear of her idea and also very joyful that my poems are used by our Heavenly Father to touch His children.

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

© A.E. Dozat 12/2/18

The Author Explains His Poem, Who Not To Blame

Every one of us goes through difficult times, even times of dark desperation, and it is for those people that I wrote this collection of poems so they may find hope and comfort.

Let me tell you about one of the poems in my book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy.

Who Not to Blame, a Poem about the False One, is found on page 23 of Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy.

TITLE
At first glance, the title looks straightforward. It is, Who Not to Blame, a Poem about the False One. You think it might be about identifying the right person or cause for a problem. The reader might think it answers the question of fault. The reader begins to contemplate that they blame the wrong parties for our suffering.

STRUCTURE
This poem is 24 lines long, and the lines are of various lengths. It has three different phases. The first establishes the issue of guilt. Lines 1 through 11 says,

Guilt
Sneaks in the back door
Of your suffering...

Then moves to the questioning that guilt puts you through.

The second phase of the poem declares grounds for guilt:

If your actions
Brought your suffering,
Then you would know it...

The final phase refers to Ancient Job, who suffered the loss of all he owned, his family, and even his health.

MESSAGE

Illustration for the poem, Who Not To Blame
from the Book Beyond These Dark Lands
Are Edges of Joy,
By A.E. Dozat © 2018

The message of this poem is understood through the reference to Ancient Job, a figure from the Old Testament.

The Bible tells how the Devil argued with God and claimed Job loved God only because God had blessed him, so the Devil took away all of Job's blessings, but Job never cursed God and continued to be faithful to God. In Job's case, no wrongdoing on his part caused his suffering; in the same way, we may experience evil without being at fault.

While we must not ignore guilt but should bring it to God and seek forgiveness through Christ, we should also be aware of false guilt that has no foundation in our actions. We should not belittle the pain in our lives but know when not to blame ourselves for it.

ILLUSTRATION
On the page with this poem is a drawing in pen of a road leading through a rolling wilderness landscape of rocky grasslands with a single tree beside the road.

VERSE
The verse that I choose to go with this poem is 1 Peter 1:7,
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. 1 Peter 1:7, NLT

Guilt 

Sneaks in the back door 

Of your suffering

Then follows you around

Like some shadow-man

In the night.

Guilt is like elevator music

Whispering doubtful words

Like, what did I do wrong?

Did I commit sin?

Why am I punished?

If your actions

Brought your suffering,

Then you would know it

And would not ask why.

But if like ancient Job

You have no fault

And if you ask, "Why?" 

Like ancient Job,

You may not get

An explanation.

And like Job 

Your pain is real,

But your guilt is not. 

There are times in life when we suffer, and in our suffering, we add unnecessary guilt. This poem gives comfort and hope during those times. You can read this poem in my book on page 23. To order a copy, see below.

To order this book from the printer at the wholesale price CLICK HERE 

© A.E. Dozat

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

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, 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 Author Explains His Poem, Freedom, a Poem of leaving Darkness

The poem, FREEDOM, is one of my most sincere poems in the book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy. You can download a PDF of the book at the link below.

TITLE
The full title is FREEDOM, A Poem of Leaving Darkness. There are many poems about freedom. In this poem, freedom comes from forgiveness.

The second part of the title is the important part. We are in darkness that enslaves us. The title gives us hope that we can leave the darkness and become free.

STRUCTURE
This poem is 26 lines long forming seven sentences. The majority of the poems in this collection are written in the third person; but in this one, I use the first person to tell the story of the reader.
"I see you oppressed
And driven through darkness..."

Illustration for the Poem Freedom,
From the book Beyond These Dark Lands
Are Edges of Joy,
By A.E. Dozat © 2018

and

"...What you are seeking

I would give freely."

Each line is five syllables long, so it has some structure.

OUTLINE

The first five lines describe the searching oppressed reader who seeks freedom. 

Lines six through thirteen describe the speaker's reaction to the one who is seeking freedom. 

Lines 14 through the end are a testimony of having found freedom and the supernatural response to share it with others.

MEANING
The meaning of this poem is that though you are in darkness and troubled with guilt, but you can hope because freedom from your guilt is available. It says that others have found freedom through Christ, and you may find it too.

This poem is one of the places where the book becomes personal; here, I, as the author, speak directly to the reader. It is a poem of hope and goodwill. It makes clear that Christ's forgiveness is hope for the lost.

This poem is illustrated with a pen drawing of a dark, narrow ravine and a path that leads to the open space.

SCRIPTURE
The bottom of the page has a verse of scripture from the epistle of Colossians. ”For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in Whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:13-14, NIV.

This poem tells you that there is hope and you can find freedom from all your inner darkness.

© Adron 7/3/18

The Author Explains His Poem, Joy's Birthing,

The poem, Joys Birthing, gives hope that God is available and listening to our prayers for help. I wrote it with the hope that others will be inspired to turn to the Lord God in their desperate hour. It is in my book of poems, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort And Hope.

TITLE
The title focuses on the beginning of joy, and it makes you consider how joy starts in your life. It may seem redundant to use both the word, "birthing" and the phrase, "starting point," but a birth must have a starting point. I hoped the title would create interest so you would read the poem to see how you can start finding joy.

STRUCTURE
All the poems in this book look like free verse, but I use some structure to give them a flow. In this poem, the majority of the lines are five syllables long except for some that are shortened for emphasis. The first nine lines make a declaration that
"Joy
Is born in the muck
Of the lowly heart."
Lines 10 through 19 turns the poem to God who
"...Hears the cry

Illustration for the Poem Joy's birthing
From The Book,
Beyond These Dark Lands
Are Edges of Joy
© A.E. Dozat 2018

Of the broken and
The helpless ones."
The final section lines 20 through 28, brings God and the humble man together saying that,
"God rewards their plea
And does for them
What they can't do..."
The four-syllable couplet is shorter than the lines before it, this gives it emphasis. The last lines are a celebration of God's generosity of provision.

MEANING
The poem not only says that you can begin to have joy; but that God is the source of your joy if you will be humble to admit your need and come to him.

ILLUSTRATION
The illustration is a road winding through grassy hills and beside the road is a sheep to illustrate the humility needed to come to God.

SCRIPTURE
The footnote to the poem is the scripture, "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will lift you up." James 4:10

JOY'S BIRTHING,

A Poem of the Starting Point

Joy 

Is born in the muck

Of the lowly heart.

The ones who admit 

Inner poverty,

And that 

They are powerless

To stop the ruin

Of their own lives.

They

Are the ready ones.

For

God hears the cry

Of the broken and

The helpless ones.

He listens for 

Those who look not

For power

But ask for mercy.

God rewards their plea

And does for them

What they can't do,

Such a wonder!

God gives free pardon,

With abundant life,

Full of victory 

To the humble ones

Who admit their need. 

This poem gives hope to anybody that joy and God's grace is available to all- no matter how downtrodden they are.  You can read it in its entirety when you order your copy, use the button below.

CLICK HERE to order your own copy of THROUGH THESE DARK LANDS directly from the printer at the best price.
© AE.Dozat 5/29/18

The Author Explains His Poem, Circumstances Not, A Poem of the Reason

What is the poem, Circumstances Not, about? It has several meanings and more than one interpretation.

To order this book directly from the printer and get the best possible wholesale price CLICK HERE.

WHY I WROTE THIS POEM

I wrote this poem to encourage people who are suffering. It says that in time they can choose to rejoice. It was inspired by the scripture in which the Apostle commands Christians to rejoice. The wording of the scripture is woven into the poem.

WHAT DOES THE POEM'S TITLE MEAN?

In this book, all the titles are in two parts. The title, "Circumstances Not," is vague on purpose, it could be a negative statement about circumstances or a denial of the effects of circumstances or the poem is not about the circumstances at all. The subtitle, "A poem of the Reason," is close to the main point of the poem that we are looking beyond our circumstances to something else.

HOW IS THIS POEM ARRANGED?
This poem is 17 lines totaling 78 words arranged as free-verse but not without structure.

Lines 1 through 13 all use the same pattern of the word "Rejoice!" and followed by an example of the persecution the Apostle experienced.
Line 14 is a summary exclamation, "So, yes, rejoice!" 

The last three lines explain why in all these situations we can rejoice.

A reader who is familiar with the scripture, Philippians 4:4, will recognize a pattern in the poem that reflects the scripture.

THE POEM

CIRCUMSTANCES NOT,

A Poem of the Reason

Rejoice!

In prison the Apostle said it,

“Rejoice.”

Chained to Roman guards he said it,

“Rejoice.”

Forgotten by friends he said it,

“Rejoice.”

Betrayed by countrymen he said it,

“Rejoice.”

Facing martyrdom he said it,

“Rejoice.”

Cold, alone, and hungry he said it,

“Rejoice.”

So, yes, rejoice! 

Not because of these things

Illustration for the Poem, Circumstances Not,
A Poem of the Reason,
From The book, Beyond These Dark Lands are
Edges of Joy
©A.E. Dozat 2018

But because of 

Him Who Is Above All Things.

© A.E.Dozat

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS POEM

The last two lines tell us that we can find a reason for joy. Our joy is in someone who is greater than circumstances.
"...because of Him
Who Is Above All Things."

HOW IS IT ILLUSTRATED
I continued the theme of a road. In this illustration, the road is a wooden walkway over a marsh, but the planks are askew or absent in places so the walk hazardous. It is to show a difficult circumstance. There is hope because the sun shines beyond distant hills.

This poem fills an important place in this book about finding joy and hope. This poem encourages you by showing the Apostle Paul's joy in spite of his circumstances.

THE SCRIPTURE
The footnote on the page is the scripture, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" Philippians 4:4, NIV.

To order this book of poems directly from the printer at the best wholesale price CLICK HERE. 

© Adron 5/6/18

The Author Explains His Poem, Patience, A Poem of Him Who Watches

PATIENCE, A Poem of Him Who Watches, is found on page 13 of my Book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope.

I wrote this poem as encouragement for those who feel that they are going through a long time of hardship.

TITLE
The title is two-sided. At first, it could be that we are going through the dark time and must be patient, but, the subtitle, A Poem of Him Who Watches, might be about how God watches over us through our long night, or that we are watching for deliverance through the night. This open-ended title starts the reader thinking right from the beginning.

STRUCTURE
The poem is 26 lines long with grouped rhythms to speed up or slow down the reader. The first nine lines are the opening statement. Lines 1-6 are all short and move quickly, followed by two lines of both five syllables then line 9 is six syllables. The opening combines not only place and time but also experience.
"Those who have lived
only

Illustration for the Poem, Patience,
A Poem of Him Who Watches.
From the Book,
Beyond These Dark Lands are Edges of Joy
© A.E. Dozat 2018

under the cold stars..."

Faith is explored in lines 10 to 19, They vary in length between four or five syllables
"Faith knows the sun
will certainly rise..."

Lines 20 through 22 talks about the comfort of faith that is based on truth.

The poem concludes in lines 23 through 26 by declaring that our patient faith proves our love for God.

MEANING
The metaphor of the stars makes us face eternity with a sense of our smallness and ignorance of what is beyond our place and time. But faith hopes for the dawn and watches in that hope because we know our patient waiting is evidence of our faith in God who is also watching over us.

ILLUSTRATION
The poem is illustrated with a pen drawing of a road leading to the sunrise.

THE LESSON THIS POEM TEACHES
Our lives are a living statement. How we react to suffering speaks to others. This poem helps people see that their reaction to trials must come from a mature thought-out faith. It shows the purpose of enduring hardship.

There are many reasons and explanations for our suffering and no one answer suffices for all, but this poem says that our enduring faith in God during hardships proves our love for God.

The poem is accompanied by this scripture:
“However, as it is written: ‘What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived’ -- the things God has prepared for those who love Him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9, NIV.

This poem like all the poems in this collection gives comfort and hope.

© Adron 5/2/18

The Families With Special Needs Conference Request My Book

I was surprised when in a meeting today at work Tom, the Chief Operating Officer, asked me if I was going to the Families With Special Needs Conference in Baltimore next Saturday and if I was going would I bring copies of the book, Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges of Joy, Words of Comfort and Hope. Tom is involved with Special Needs Family Ministry since his teenage son is severely disabled. He will be one of the key presenters at the conference. He added that families with special needs members are families who have hurt at one point or other and need encouragement and he said he was sure that the book would be a blessing to those families.

I was surprised and not prepared for this. I did not think my book would be such a blessing to people.

I was ashamed to tell him that I wasn't planning on attending the conference because my daughter is coming home for the weekend.

Others in the office are involved in the conference and offered to take some books and give them space on their exhibit table for attendees to purchase. If my coworkers felt the book would be meaningful to those dealing with special needs family members then I know I should go and help with the book table at least for a few hours.

I am overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends and humbled by their encouraging comments about the book and how it is a blessing to many.

© A.E. Dozat 4/23/18