Psalms Of Gratitude And Prayer [Hardcover]

If part of the reason for half-empty pews in our churches is the white-knuckle grip we have on overused terminology, Psalms of Gratitude and Prayer almost always finds a fresh vocabulary for such terms. But that is only one element in its success. These poems also communicate with a healthy dash of images, usually the lifeblood of poetry that pleases. It is not an easy thing to accomplish, but the author has done it. This book also offers a majority of poems that both scan and rhyme, an added handicap for a poet, but one that he seems to delight in. Besides, as Robert Frost once said, writing poetry without rhyme is like playing tennis without a net. John Brugaletta's poems regularly bring me delight with occasionally some searching of conscience. But perhaps the greatest value of these compositions is the way the metaphors stimulate both my mind and emotions to envision the world and my experiences in it in new and insightful ways. --Ed Curtis, Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Studies, Talbot School of Theology, La Mirada, CA These are poems to savor for their luxuriant language and for the unexpected perspectives they offer.Brugaletta is the heir of the metaphysical poets--able, like Donne, to invent surprising conceits to explore common human experiences and, like Herbert, to use the homely and familiar to probe complex spiritual realities.By turns wry and reflective, the poems in this collection invite us to know ourselves and to value the alchemy that turns knowledge into wisdom. --Patricia L. Hamilton, Winner of the 2015 Rash Award in Poetry; author ofThe Distance to Nightfall Brugaletta's contemporary and accessible book of psalms is a delightful, thoughtful, and inspirational guide for Christians in their devotions. --Charles A. Dominick, retired vice president for advancement, Wittenberg University Brugaletta's poetry is an always-welcome treat, bringing back and creating memories all at once. His faith and faithful poetic ruminatiolƒo