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Sojourner Songs: Poems
From the author of A Small Cup of Light comes a collection of poetry that presses into the corners of our joy and our despair. By turns provocative, playful, sober, and hopeful, Sojourner Songs is a long-awaited companion on life's journey and a deep spiritual experience for pilgrims in all walks of life. Ben Palpant's poetry debut is intensely personal, an intimate exploration of what it means to be human.
From "I Cannot Stop My Singing Heart" to "Despair Has Come," this collection captures the range of emotions which characterize our shared experience. Reminiscent of works by Mary Oliver, T.S. Eliot, and Seamus Heaney, Sojourner Songs serves as a reminder of therich tapestry we call everyday life.
From "I Cannot Stop My Singing Heart" to "Despair Has Come," this collection captures the range of emotions which characterize our shared experience. Reminiscent of works by Mary Oliver, T.S. Eliot, and Seamus Heaney, Sojourner Songs serves as a reminder of therich tapestry we call everyday life.
226 pages, Hardcover
Published May 4, 2016
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166 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 19, 2017
I loved this book! I don't read poetry very often, but I read Ben Palpant's other book and so I thought I would try this one. It's amazing and a lot of poems I would definitely go back and read again and again. He has tremendous faith and his poems show that.
July 14, 2020
"I have held time's shell
to my ear and heard
the deep, endless, reverberations
of God's voice,
wave upon wave.
But now I stand
at this intersection,
bombarded
by horns and heralds,
herded
by small demands,
propelled
by petty problems,
distracted
by advertisements shouting toothpaste promises,
trying to remember
what it felt like
to hear the tide
of God's voice rolling
wave upon wave."
Even better after a reread—so much so that I raised my star rating. I can't say I'm surprised at such an outcome. If you've only experienced a poem once, have you really experienced it? Poetry was born to be relished and reread. What an absolute delight to stop and listen again to the quietly beautiful melodies of these sojourner songs, letting their notes sink deep into my soul.
(The Literary Life Podcast's 20 for 2020 Reading Challenge - A complete volume of poetry by a single author)
Original review, written 3/10/2019
A thoughtful collection of poems for the pilgrim. Particularly striking were several of the poems inspired by different Scripture passages. Palpant did an excellent job capturing the heart of the passage in a memorable, unique way.
My favorite Scripture-inspired poems were "Remember the Time" (inspired by Psalm 103 yet also full of allusions to the gospels), "Hard to Believe" (inspired by Psalm 139:13-24), "Fear Not" (inspired by Joel 2:21-27), and "Never More" (inspired by Hosea 14:1-9). My favorites of all the rest were "I Have Held Time's Shell" and "You Are, I Am"— both beautifully constructed and worded poems.
to my ear and heard
the deep, endless, reverberations
of God's voice,
wave upon wave.
But now I stand
at this intersection,
bombarded
by horns and heralds,
herded
by small demands,
propelled
by petty problems,
distracted
by advertisements shouting toothpaste promises,
trying to remember
what it felt like
to hear the tide
of God's voice rolling
wave upon wave."
Even better after a reread—so much so that I raised my star rating. I can't say I'm surprised at such an outcome. If you've only experienced a poem once, have you really experienced it? Poetry was born to be relished and reread. What an absolute delight to stop and listen again to the quietly beautiful melodies of these sojourner songs, letting their notes sink deep into my soul.
(The Literary Life Podcast's 20 for 2020 Reading Challenge - A complete volume of poetry by a single author)
Original review, written 3/10/2019
A thoughtful collection of poems for the pilgrim. Particularly striking were several of the poems inspired by different Scripture passages. Palpant did an excellent job capturing the heart of the passage in a memorable, unique way.
My favorite Scripture-inspired poems were "Remember the Time" (inspired by Psalm 103 yet also full of allusions to the gospels), "Hard to Believe" (inspired by Psalm 139:13-24), "Fear Not" (inspired by Joel 2:21-27), and "Never More" (inspired by Hosea 14:1-9). My favorites of all the rest were "I Have Held Time's Shell" and "You Are, I Am"— both beautifully constructed and worded poems.
December 21, 2019
I found the imagery very vivid. I was drawn into the poems, and was able to identify closely with most of them. Perhaps its shared life experience, or spiritual perspective, that permitted these to really minister to me. I too have been struck with the serenity of the sound from a sea shell, and the wonder of geese in the late fall, and the peace that only my gracious God can bring. This book has inspired me to read more poetry.
February 20, 2019
My favorite poems from this book were the ones that were loosely based on Scripture - the word choices made me stop and consider the Psalms and other passages in a new way.
January 18, 2020
This is now the fourth time
through this book
and I am betting ....
Actually
I know
there will be many more journeys
Through it’s pages
It was also my first exposure to what
Free verse could look like
when expressed by a Christian.
Palpant is a man who
has suffered
and come through
suffering more refined
and rich
It’s hard to make a recommendation
that is effusive
enough to match what I have
taken
out of the pages
Perhaps it’s better simply to leave all detail
Aside, And let you simply
Pick
up the book
Turn
The pages
And listen.
Listen
To what the author
Spills
onto
each line.
Pay attention to negative space
(It’s helpful)
Read the Introduction.
Don’t
Skip
His guidepost....or anything else
For that matter.
through this book
and I am betting ....
Actually
I know
there will be many more journeys
Through it’s pages
It was also my first exposure to what
Free verse could look like
when expressed by a Christian.
Palpant is a man who
has suffered
and come through
suffering more refined
and rich
It’s hard to make a recommendation
that is effusive
enough to match what I have
taken
out of the pages
Perhaps it’s better simply to leave all detail
Aside, And let you simply
Pick
up the book
Turn
The pages
And listen.
Listen
To what the author
Spills
onto
each line.
Pay attention to negative space
(It’s helpful)
Read the Introduction.
Don’t
Skip
His guidepost....or anything else
For that matter.
March 17, 2020
I don’t know how to review poetry. I barely know how to read it. But I know these poems moved me.
I read and digested these poems slowly. I can see why people memorize their favorite lines. There is something about this mysterious art that makes poems seem either to be a drag-times where my attention is lost immediately. Other poems grab you and make you feel things; they capture glimpses of life in fleeting words. Some poems move you. There were lots of those moments for me in Sojourner Songs.
Ben Palpant, unknown to most, wrote many of these to correspond with particular passages of Scripture, mostly Psalms, which he lists in a lengthy appendix. I usually read the companion text and was surprised by the freshness of his writing. It was never cheesy, never predictable, never flat.
Ben Palpant, if you ever read this, please keep writing. I’ll buy anything you write.
Time to start this books again.
I read and digested these poems slowly. I can see why people memorize their favorite lines. There is something about this mysterious art that makes poems seem either to be a drag-times where my attention is lost immediately. Other poems grab you and make you feel things; they capture glimpses of life in fleeting words. Some poems move you. There were lots of those moments for me in Sojourner Songs.
Ben Palpant, unknown to most, wrote many of these to correspond with particular passages of Scripture, mostly Psalms, which he lists in a lengthy appendix. I usually read the companion text and was surprised by the freshness of his writing. It was never cheesy, never predictable, never flat.
Ben Palpant, if you ever read this, please keep writing. I’ll buy anything you write.
Time to start this books again.
February 27, 2017
A wonderful resource for those walking in the desert. These poems are the only thing I really wanted to read during the first several weeks after the death of my sister. They've provided warmth in the cold of night for me. Even if you haven't read much poetry, it is worth reading this.
December 10, 2021
This book hit me at the right time of life. I have been an intimate student of the Psalms for the last 2 years and this month has been had its own bearings of difficult and weighty things. Ben's manner of verse, free and exploring and personal and to the core of the human condition- paired with the mighty wisdom of Scripture- was a salve to my soul in the past few days. I am glad I was gifted this book, so I can return to it again and again. And I am certain I will be gifting it myself in the near future!
July 8, 2020
I love this volume! The poems are simple enough to be accessible— I think — to infrequent poetry readers, but rich enough to visit again and again. My heart sang and wept along with his — along with the Psalmists’ — and I find here what I most want when I want to read poetry. I place to be quiet and a place to be refreshed.
September 10, 2021
I am not a poetry guy, but I do like a good turn of phrase. This book just might have converted me to a poetry lover. The pages of this book are filled with rich lines such as “I shook the bottle of self-reliance, long drained, over my dry lips.”
November 13, 2018
Wonderful poems. The author describes his affinity for poetry coming after his health collapsed, and many of these poems have the mark of suffering. But they're not for just the wounded.
May 11, 2021
Meditations that aren't heavy in religiosity or vapid in kitsch.
Effortlessly intimate and familiar in the best way.
These poems hit me so hard.
Effortlessly intimate and familiar in the best way.
These poems hit me so hard.
October 31, 2022
I enjoyed this book of poetry, especially the last section where each poem is based on specific passages from Scripture. Worth picking this one up if you enjoy poetry based on Scripture.
December 9, 2024
Loved his freeform poetry and how much of it was inspired by Scripture
December 31, 2021
I can’t recommend this book of poetry enough… I come back to it again and again.
February 8, 2019
This book was wonderful. I liked “A Small Cup of Light,” but this was better—I think Ben Palpant speaks better through poetry. His poems are vivid and personal, he captures huge emotions deftly with just a few words. The poems are deeply moving but not sentimental, hopeful but not trite, thoughtful but simple. He is not afraid of exploring and expressing grief and other difficult emotions, but without the drama and self-obsession that often come with that. It’s a beautiful example of encountering God in whatever circumstances and emotions you find yourself—probably especially meaningful to anyone who has been through long nights of sorrow or suffering.
February 3, 2017
Something you should know about me, I'm actually not huge on poetry though I read it to my child a lot because he enjoys it. This book, however, is just. . . Incredible. No matter how many words I use, it won't be enough to describe it.
Pick it up, read it, live it, fall into a million pieces and cry, watch them join together again and see the joy. If there is one thing I would have told myself about this book, it would have been to read it sooner.
Most of these poems were inspired by Scripture and the last section of the book is filled with those passages. Encouraging. Uplifting. Inspiring. Healing.
Pick it up, read it, live it, fall into a million pieces and cry, watch them join together again and see the joy. If there is one thing I would have told myself about this book, it would have been to read it sooner.
Most of these poems were inspired by Scripture and the last section of the book is filled with those passages. Encouraging. Uplifting. Inspiring. Healing.
January 22, 2017
Although I'm still not a huge fan of poetry, especially free verse, I enjoyed this collection of poem. Ben Palpant puts into words, through poem, his significant health problems. He breaks up his poems into the liturgical daily calendar. Even for a "non-poemer," many poems were well done and very moving. I would highly recommend.
August 6, 2016
pierces the heart ... comforts the soul ...
November 4, 2016
Wise, well-written poetry, mostly based on Psalms and other Bible passages. I highly recommend both this book of poetry as well as Ben Palpant's first book, A Small Cup of Light.
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July 10, 2024Beautiful. Will read these for the rest of my life.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews