Made in the Image: Plain Poems

by Joffre Swait

This cheerful collection of rumbling poetry is the perfect introduction to the good life -- the life each Christian should be living.

There is wine, there are riddles, there is war with sin, there are jokes...all uttered in appreciation of this world that God made out of his own words. We all can imitate him: Poetry is a way of life.

Genres: Poetry, Nonfiction, Christian

80 pages, Paperback

Published May 16, 2023

Reviews

[ValeReads Kyriosity · Rating 5 out of 5]

“God Eats” is, by itself, worth the price of admission. The clever and funny ones were clever and funny. I try so hard to pretend I don’t hear the onomatopoeia in ineffable, but I’m glad someone else hears it, too. It would have been nice to have translations of the couple non-English inscriptions.

Canon should get Joffre to read more than his own book, though I did wonder at his pronunciation of provender.

[Abigail Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t understand what makes poetry be poetry and not just sentences spaced out on different lines. But I’m determined to be educated.
But I think I liked this…I think.

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a good judge of poetry. I read it to stretch me. That said, my favorite section was The Word and specifically in that section I enjoyed reading Made in the Image, Militant Times, and God Eats.

[Brian Koser]

Enjoyed it. "God Eats" and "Thanks Forever" are probably still my favorites of Joffre's.

[Josiah Richardson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thomas Gray wrote that “Poetry is thoughts that breathe, and words that burn.” For many people, Poetry is for women, men who are fruity, and a few others who are in those ivory towers trying to sound pithy. But if you do not understand poetry or its importance, it is likely because you do not speak the language. Poetry is a type of language and those that speak it and understand it are privy to strings of words that have more truth per square inch than the same set of words not placed in poetic form. It is revealing to me as I write this that I feel the need to defend poetry in a review for a book of poetry.

In any case, this is a good and helpful book of poetry. The author draws out themes and ideas that fall perfectly into place in their structure - providing the reader a way to step into the author’s world of emotion, thought, and rhythm. A good balance between theology, love, frustrations, and joy.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short but excellent book of poems that showed how rich Christian faith flows into all facets of life, no matter how “ordinary” those aspects of life are. I am new to poetry but I found several of the poems thought provoking and others simple and enjoyable. This was a book I listened to on Canon+. But I would enjoy the chance to read the paperback book down the road.

[James Denard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a delightful read, I’m new to reading poetry but this was a great entry point. “The God of Pumpkin Pie” and “Thanks for Ever” alone make it worth getting a copy but also capture the spirit of the collection. These poems are jovial and move to doxology, directing us to give thanks to our God for giving all these good things. “God Eats” is also magnificent.

[Sean Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great!

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable. Highly recommend that you listen to the audiobook version of it on the Canon+ app.

[Richie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version and it was awesome to hear the rhythm and tanner in which they are to be read. I definitely would rather read than head much of these poems though.

[Shea Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jolly good wordplay. If I ever go to Moscow I'd like to shake the authors hand, seems like a swell fellow.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read by the author. The kids especially liked the riddles and limericks. It was fun to listen to the Thanksgiving poems on the way to our Thanksgiving celebrations.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this selection of poems.

[Donald Owens II · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short collection of poems to sink your teeth into, greatly varied, occasionally theological, mostly rhymed. Not a thematic collection (and not all so plain), but fun.

[Caleb Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange, funny, insightful, and honestly not like anything I’ve ever read.

[Jordan Litts · Rating 3 out of 5]

okay.

[Knowlton Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Original review: Clever, manly, and godly--I look forward to sharing these with my sons.

Review from 2024 reread: Good poetry to listen to while working on a physically demanding project. Also, I shared a few of these with my sons. Thank God for beer and pumpkin pie, boys--beer and pumpkin pie.

[Will Dole · Rating 5 out of 5]

2023: Deliciously delightful.

2024:
Plain poems, indeed;
but delightful to read.
A feast upon the table,

Of letter and rhyme -
get a copy, not mine;
and read it aloud, if you're able.

2024 (again):
So good.