The Word in the Wilderness: A Poem a Day for Lent and Easter

by Malcolm Guite, Holly Ordway (Contributor)

For every day from Shrove Tuesday to Easter Day, the bestselling poet Malcolm Guite chooses a favourite poem from across the Christian spiritual and English literary traditions and offers incisive reflections on it. A scholar of poetry and a renowned poet himself, his knowledge is deep and wide and he offers readers a soul-food feast for Lent.

Genres: Poetry, Christianity, Devotional, Christian, Faith, Religion, Theology

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 30, 2014

Reviews

[ladydusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this morning - not yesterday on Easter - and was delighted that Guite pointed out that "There is only ever one day, the true Easter."

Definitely will revisit in years to come - some poems meant more than others, some essays meant more than others, but I suspect different ones will affect me at different points in life. Also, as I grow in understanding of poetry and love for it, I hope the poems will resonate more and more as the years go on.

Recommended.

2024: my hopes from the first read are seeing some bigger shoots - more understanding and love. The theme of wandering and walking being a huge one in the book whilst having a broken foot (as did Guite) was a surprising connection and added depth. Not that I necessarily recommend that means of connection.

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm Guite knows how to write literature for the church calendar. He introduces poems and gets straight to the heart of the matter without belaboring every nuance in this daily devotional for Lent and Easter. He leads us gently while never boring us with pedantry. This volume, as with Advent volume, Waiting on the Word, are perfect for setting a few minutes a day to reflect on Christ and his church, past and present and future.

[Joy Lenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcom Guite is one of my favourite poets, so to read a selection of his beautiful sonnets, alongside an eclectic mix from others, was a great treat and a wonderful way to spend the Lenten season.
Here we have a poem a day, followed by Malcolm's reflection and unravelling of it. There's an introduction which helps prepare our hearts for the weeks ahead. Each week of Lent has its own theme which includes a selection of sonnets and other poetic styles incorporated with insightful prose.
As the book draws to its natural conclusion, we are left with an appendix of poems to be read during the Saints' Days in Lent. I found this an invaluable resource, rich in imagery and reflective ideas. My own faith tradition fails to celebrate Lent in this way, and it was refreshing to feel a little more prepared for the darker days of Lent and the jubilation of Easter to come. I highly recommend it for the poetry alone, but Malcolm's own thoughts lend weight, depth and greater interest to the book as a whole.

[Jess Schurz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poem for each day of Lent was manna in the wilderness, re-casting our gaze every morning on the Bread of Life Himself. A beautiful & companioned journey with Guite!!

Can there be any day but this,
Though many suns to shine endeavor?

[Hannah Landis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be my new tradition every Lent.

[Beth Easter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more stars to give this book. It was the best Lenten time companion a girl could ask for! I am taking from it MANY new images, benedictions, and frameworks through which to see things as they really are. Lead us ever onward, Brother Guite!

[Timilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I greatly appreciated Malcolm Guite's shepherding through this season of Lent. The poems he selected were both timely and timeless. Malcolm gave just enough explication to help me comprehend the poetry, but not so much as to injure the artistry. I will return to this work again and again. 2021

Reading again Lent 2022

read again 2025 - feels like the first rime! I love the richness these poems

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm Guite is certainly a favorite. 2016, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2025

[Veva Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good book! I love this one so much and I loved reading a poem and thoughts on the poem each day through lent and Easter. It really helped me focus on Jesus and the price he payed for us.

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable journey through poetry for Lent. Malcolm Guite's commentary and his own poems are fine, but the real treasure is the selection of works from many writers and eras. I'll keep this on the shelf and look through these poems again throughout the year.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too many poems by the author but still well worth a read. I really enjoy reading poetry collections during Lent and Advent. Janet Morley’s were better than these but this was still good. Does anyone know of any others that they’d recommend ?

[Anita Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful Lenten journey with the commentary of a deeply insightful guide. It culminates with his own rich poetry in Holy Week.
Second read: a beautiful, contemplative way to walk through Lent.

[Jenny Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

“From now on there is just the single, eternal day of resurrection, and by its light we can look back over our long pilgrimage and see the glory of this day, hidden once but shining now, in all we have been through.”

This book was a wonderful Lenten read, and one I’ll return to again next year. The poems themselves were beautiful, but Guite so masterfully bridged the gap between the reader and each poem with a meditation that both helped me make sense of the poetry (a genre I am not super adept at navigating solo!) and led me into a posture of wonder and worship.

Highly recommend!

[Savannah Knepp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a harder time engaging with this collection than I did with his one on Advent. Still enjoyable, but definitely harder for this poetry novice to comprehend.

[Brian Koser]

A wonderful collection of poems to read during Lent. Malcolm Guite is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.

Also, check out his YouTube channel. It may be the closest you can get to hanging out with a hobbit.

[Michael Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edifying

This is not merely a poetry anthology, but is a devotional, the Reverend Doctor blending his vocations of poet and minister exceptionally. I cannot recommend this book highly enough; every Christian needs to go through this anthology every year. I will definitely be going through his 'Waiting on the Word' when the advent season rolls around. From the first days after Ash Wednesday going through each of the temptations of Christ to a week devoted to Dante's Commedia, the poetry and essays in this volume will challenge and encourage you in your walk with Christ. My favorite poem in this volume would probably be Holly Ordway's "Maps." I loved the imagery of the "Ptolemaic shift," our technology having placed us back at the center until we finally look up and see the world around us, looking at and enjoying the journey, not just the destination. I heard Dr. Guite quote Shakespeare in a lecture once that imagination, and particularly poetry, apprehends more than cool reason ever comprehends, and this is absolutely true. I grasp so much more through the poetry and short essays in this book than I could have grasped after years of reading commentaries.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have yet to dislike anything I've read from Guite. Word in the Wilderness offers a poem and accompanying commentary for every day in Lent, leading up to Easter. His Christmas book is still my favorite, but this is one I will return to year after year.

Update, 3/31/24:

I still don't love this one as much as I do Guite's Christmas collection, but it was a joy to walk through Lent and Easter accompanied by poetry.

[Jocelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two years in a row reading then during Lent. I feel like this year it soaked in a bit more. I so appreciate Malcolm Guite’s commentary because as much as I want to be a poetry person, so much of it goes over my head.

Third year in a row. Most days I read before bed and gosh it was such a sweet way to end every day. Poetry definitely humbles me but Malcolm’s commentary is so insightful and helpful. And these poems are so beautiful and such a balm to my heart.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 read: Great again. Made better knowing that Guite has expanded his Sounding the Seasons collection, so there are more sonnets to carry on through Eastertide.
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A beautiful poetry anthology beginning on Ash Wednesday and building to a climax on Easter Sunday. I liked it as much or maybe more than Guite's Christmas anthology. So much to chew on!

[Beth Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Word in the Wilderness was my morning companion over the last six weeks. This book is a poetry collection set up to be read daily during Lent. Each poem is thoughtfully chosen by Malcolm Guite, a British poet and Anglican priest, and accompanied by his commentary on both the poem and its spiritual encouragement. Several included poems are written by Guite himself, and I really loved the mix of older and newer selections.

This is my second poetry anthology by Guite, having read and loved his Advent book, Waiting on the Word, this past Christmas. I cannot recommend these highly enough, both for the accessibility of their poetry and the constant pointing to Jesus.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

THis is a poetry anthology and was a lovely addition to my Lenten observances. Probably my favorite part about it was that the editor wrote his commentary on each poem, which was very helpful to me. Often I did not understand references in the various poems, unless he told me was was going on. Poem authors included Malcom Guite, George Herbert, Dante, and more.

[Gina Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t love this one as much as the advent one, I think I had a harder time enjoying the poems for their own sake, but Guite’s words and explanations of the poems always shed a new light on them!

[Charity Craig]

This was the perfect Lenten companion. The poems were beautifully chosen and annotated. I would highly recommend this book and will use it again myself in the years to come.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s with sadness that we finish this precious little tome. Malcolm is the perfect companion and guide through Lent to Easter. His selection of poems is incredible. We especially appreciated his write up around each one. We loved his beautiful poetry as well. He is a gift to the body of Christ.

[Lauren Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grateful for Guite, as always!! These poems made me excited to wake up and pray every day of lent!

It didn’t hit quite as hard as the Advent ones did, but of course I still love it!!

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malcolm Guite's The Word in the Wilderness led me through Lent with a Poem a Day for Lent and Easter with reflection, every day.

I know my Lenten reading was three books, but I was only successful with this one. I'm still pushing myself to read the other two. This one I looked forward to reading, every day.

Malcolm Guite is a poet that makes you savor your thoughts. Every day was Lectio Divina. And if I didn't get the poem, Guite explains each poem.

Another thing about this book is that it is an anthology. I wasn't stuck reading a poet I didn't like, every day. The Word in the Wilderness had different poets. Each one was apropos, though. It was one of the best Lenten Journeys I've ever experienced.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved the selection of poems and the brief explanations and meditations on them.

As the introduction states, "[I would like to] turn to poetry for a clarification of who we are, how we pray, how we journey through our lives with God and how he comes to journey with us."

I appreciated the poetry in this as it helped express feelings, thoughts, and truths in different and meaningful ways.

[Bethany B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful book. I really enjoyed going through it this Lent season. The poetry made me really ponder on the topics presented. This will be a repeat read, maybe every Easter Season.

Read this is 2022 and usually bring it out again. Read fully again this year 2025.

[fpk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of poetry for the Lenten season. Guite cites a poem a day, followed by an explanation or response. Meditative, inspiring devotional type of book. Highly recommend.

[Rick Dobrowolski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read through this with my family this Easter season and enjoyed it.