Here is the first poem in my book, BEYOND THESE DARK LANDS ARE EDGES OF JOY. This poem is intended as an introduction. In fact, an earlier version of this poem was titled, Introduction. I hoped to use it to set the tone and expectation for the reader. But when one of my reviewers suggested it would confuse the audience by having an introduction in the form of a poem, I renamed it "My Letter to You, A Poem of Invitation."
Scroll down to the bottom of this post and read the poem
I was still committed to the poem and the idea of putting it ahead of the body of the book, so I compromised his advice by leaving it in the location of an introduction.
This poem begins by describing how I want to write beautiful poetry,
"About daisies in the fields, where little lambs sleep and the children laugh..." I admit it is not very deep, but I like beautiful poems with vibrant picture words, and I would like to write that kind of poem for people to read.
 |
Line drawing illustration for the poem,
My Letter To You, A Poem Of Invitation
From Beyond These Dark Lands Are Edges Joy.
(c) Adron 2018 |
But this poem explains that there are many people who "
live lonely lives in cold, windswept lands..." I was expressing that this collection of poems is for those people who struggle and have pain.
Starting with this poem, I tried to be sensitive to people's lives of hardship and wrote that I won't "
Belittle your struggles..." Many inspirational poetry books are filled with shallow overused platitudes and quaint sayings. I was committed to offering something thoughtful, meaningful, and depth. I wanted this book to really encourage people.
This first poem bluntly explains my purpose to offer hope. As a person of faith, I believe that God is the source of hope through His Christ. Near the end, this poem gives a loving picture of Christ.
The last line is my favorite. I won't give it away here (sorry for the teaser), but it pulls everything together.
I placed the illustration in a small circle in the lower right corner. My drawing shows an open gate to symbolize the invitation. The open gate leads to a sunny field occupied by two sheep.
This first poem is an invitation; it invites the reader "
to come" to a bright place where the God of hope waits.
I would write pretty poems
About daisies in fields
Where little lambs sleep
And the children laugh
In the summer sun.
But most of us
Live lonely lives
In cold windswept lands
Of gray stormy skies.
I won't belittle
Your struggles and pain
But acknowledge them
And offer hope
That
There is a place where
Daisies bloom in sunny fields;
A place made safe
By the One Good Shepherd
Who
Smiles as children laugh
And waits to take us in his arms.
My friend,
If you are willing
I would go there with you.
You can order the book
Beyond these Dark Lands directly from the publisher for the best price.
CLICK HERE.
(c) Adron 3/4/18
