I’m a bit late to the party, but I want to celebrate that one of my clients has recently published his first book of poetry. Greening: Poems in the Unfolding of Our Lives invites us “to travel through the unfolding seasons of our lives: pruning, wintertime; fallow ground; greening, abundance; pilgrimage, pathways and more.” The book’s title riffs off Hildegard of Bingen’s ancient (and timeless) concept of viriditas, the vigor and vitality of our life force.
I first began working with Steve Smith on his poetry early this year. A mutual friend introduced us, and I was happy to give him feedback on his poems, which he’s been sharing on Substack for a few years now. Poetry has been greening for him in retirement, as he shifts focus and intention after decades in active ministry.
As is the case for me, Steve’s poems are often sparked by encounters in and with the natural world. He walks in the Pisgah National Forest and emerges with stanzas like this from “The Four Apostles”:
Four majestic, magnificent, and marvelous ponderosa pines
Stand together: United. Resolute. In solidarity.
All raise their sappy, silent silhouettes in praise.
Layered bark with tender needles like cloistered monks.
Greening is woven through the transformation Steve is living into during this fertile time in his life. Here’s another stanza, from “A Story of Greening”:
One day, a spark rekindled in my chest.
A tendril of green was emerging from the stump of my life.
When I gave it attention married with curiosity, the greening came.
Like a trellis, my new covering of green brought me alive.
Part of the fun of working with Steve has been the real-time gift of sharing this editing process on Substack. He even wrote a poem about our work! (Here’s the post, and I really did laugh out loud when I read the poem.)
Steve’s new book is self-published, and I know some of you might not want to support the “Big River” by purchasing it there. Steve has created an alternative option to receive a signed copy of the book directly from him, which you can learn about here.
And speaking of not supporting billionaires and their companies, there are two grassroots movements seeking to hit them where it hurts. Check out this article on the two upcoming Black Friday boycotts and shop local, if you shop at all, this coming week. I will. (And if you want to buy Greening via the Big River, do it today or tomorrow!)
