Poetry Commentary

A Best Book of the Year 2023: TIME NPR’s Best Books New York Public Library Electric Lit The Root NBC Today Mother JonesThe New York Times bestselling poetry collection with "inextinguishable generosity and abundant wisdom" (Monica Youn) from Clint Smith, author of #1 bestseller and National...

Christian Wiman explores the relationships between art and faith, death and fame, heaven and oblivion. Above all, He Held Radical Light is a love letter to poetry, filled with moving, surprising, and sometimes funny encounters with the poets Wiman has known.

Du Fu (712-70) is one of China’s greatest poets. His career coincided with periods of famine, war and huge upheaval, yet his secular philosophical vision, combined with his empathy for the common folk of his nation, ensured that he soon became revered. Like Shakespeare or Dante, his poetry resonates in a timeless manner that ensures it is always relevant and offers something new to the modern generation. Broadcaster and historian Michael Wood follows in his footsteps to try to understand the places that inspired Du Fu to write some of the most famous and best-loved poetry the world has known.

Kimberly Beyer-Nelson, who holds a master's degree in comparative religion, is a nationally published poet and author. She takes the listener on a very different kind of Biblical journey, one based in the language of poetry, intuition, and unity. Pulling from Sufi, Sikh, Buddhist, and Vedantic philosophy, her poetry illuminates the universal and human elements that makes all great scripture timeless.

Despite its economic conditions and poverty, Zimbabwe enchants, calls, and satisfies. Zimbabwe offers much opportunity for spiritual growth for the serious traveler.