Poetry has always been a central element of Christian spirituality and is increasingly used in worship, in pastoral services and guided meditation. Here, Cambridge poet, priest and singer-songwriter Malcolm Guite transforms 70 lectionary readings into inspiring poems for use in regular worship, seasonal services, meditative reading or on retreat.

Malcolm Guite

Sounding the Seasons

Introduction

Acknowledgements

THE SONNETS

Bibliography

Appendix A The seven 'Great O' Antiphons in their Latin and English texts

Appendix B The sonnets and liturgy

Poetry has always been a central element of Christian spirituality and is increasingly used in worship, in pastoral services and guided meditation. In Sounding the Seasons, Cambridge poet, priest and singer-songwriter Malcolm Guite transforms seventy lectionary readings into lucid, inspiring poems, for use in regular worship, seasonal services, meditative reading or on retreat. Already widely recognised, Malcolm's writing has been acclaimed by Rowan Williams and Luci Shaw, two leading contemporary religious poets. Seven Advent poems from this collection will appear in the next edition of Penguin's (US) Best Spiritual Writing edited by Philip Zaleski, alongside the work of writers such as Seamus Heaney and Annie Dillard. A section of practical help and advice for using poetry creatively and effectively in worship is also included.

Malcolm Guite is Chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge. A performance poet and singer/songwriter, he lectures widely on poetry and theology in Britain and the US and has a large following on his website, www.malcolmguite.wordpress.com. He is a contributor to Reflections for Daily Prayer.

\["A must for readers of poetry","These poems follow the rhythms of the seasons","A poetic way to immerse yourself in spirituality"\]

Tied to the rhythms of the seasons of the year, these spiritual poems from Malcolm Guite offer reflection and pause to see the world at a poetic slant.

Steph Marriott

This is a marvellous collection of sonnets , I am enjoying them so much.

Wonderful sonnets

Judith Bee

I love this collection. I have other malcolm guite books so was looking forward to this and it certainly didn't disappoint! A brilliant resource. We used one in our Lent meditation

Wonderful

Edna Strange

Would highly recommend this book which contains some beautiful and thought-provoking poems that can be used throughout the year.

Lovely book

Ann Bossingham

I was well acquainted with Malcolm Guite's work, so I knew I would be in for a treat. Malcolm is a fine poet, with great spiritual depth, and this book will be wonderful either to dip into, or to use in regular devotions.

A splendid resource

The Good Book Stall

What a beautiful and moving collection of sonnets, holding a serene lyricism and at times a harsh modernism at their edge that bites deep and buries the words and images deep on the retina, in the brain and that pull the heart - and no that's not just fanciful words! These sonnets really do have an incredible relevance to them that speaks gently but clearly. They would make the most incredible lead in to a time of meditation or prayer, indeed they could even be used as prayer in some ways. 'O Radix' on page 9 is a wonderful poem that would be well suited to considering the modern move from faith to spirituality, from real to virtual… and on page 34, 'Cleansing the Temple' is one that I felt compelled to read again and use as a personal prayer because it so reflected to me the place where I was and more importantly wanted to be.  
  
Not to be ignored either is the rather good introduction that sets out and explains the concept of the sonnet and gives brief insights into some of the most well known of sonnet writers.  
  
Perfect for personal reading, for poetry recitals, group meetings and for liturgical use I would say.

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Sounding the Seasons

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