The Beautiful Not Yet: Poems, Essays and Lyrics

by Carrie Newcomer, Cate Whetzel (Editor), Jim Krause (Photographer)

"Carrie Newcomer is an alchemist. With words, music and soul-deep creativity, she transforms everyday conversations and ordinary experiences into something precious and rare. The title she gave this book 'The Beautiful Not Poems, Essays and Lyrics'- names her secret, I she sees the beauty of everyday life before it comes into view, sees it before the rest of us do. Beyond Life's broken facades, she manages to get a look at what Thomas Merton called the 'hidden wholeness,' then shows us what she's seen so we can see it too. her work has been a great gift of inspiration and encouragement to me. I know it will be a gift to you."

-Parker J. Palmer
(author of "Let Your Life Speak", "The Courage to Teach", and "Healing the Heart of Democracy."

Genres: Poetry, Essays, Music

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 21, 2016

About the author

Carrie Newcomer is a Grammy winning songwriter, recording artist, author, keynote presenter, performer and educator. She has been described as a “prairie mystic” by the Boston Globe and “ “asks all the right questions” by Rolling Stone, “a voice as rich as Godiva chocolate.” by The Austin Statesman, and "She's the kind of artist whose music makes you stop, think and then say, 'that is so true” by The Dallas Morning News." In the fall of 2009 and 2011 Newcomer was a cultural ambassador to India invited by the American Embassy of India. In October 2011 she released her interfaith collaborative benefit album Everything is Everywhere with world master of the Indian Sarod, Amjad Ali Khan. In June 2012 Carrie Newcomer traveled to Kenya, Africa performing in schools, hospitals, spiritual communities and AIDS hospitals. In 2013 Carrie visited organizations dedicated to non-violent conflict resolution through the arts and the empowerment of women in the Middle East. Huffington Post Religion Community listed her song “Holy as the Day is Spent” as one of the best spiritual songs of 2012.

In 2014 Available Light Records released A Permeable Life. Newcomer also has 14 nationally releases on the Concord/Rounder Records including; The Geography of Light, The Gathering of Spirits and Before and After. In 2014 Newcomer also released her first companion book A Permeable Life: Poems and Essays.
Newcomer, a contemplative Quaker, cuts across secular and spiritual boundaries. In recent years, Newcomer has emerged as a prominent voice for progressive spirituality, social and environmental justice. Carrie internationally facilitates workshops and presents keynotes on the topics of songwriting, spirituality & vocation.

Reviews

[Cynthia]

I've just begun to read and peruse this lovely book of poetry, essays, and song lyrics. I know that I'll come back to it repeatedly, for its gentle wisdom and thoughtful reflections. Author Carrie Newcomer is a wonderful singer/songwriter from Indiana, whose themes are sometimes deep, sometimes light-hearted, often reflective, always true to life. She's grateful and wry, faithful and questioning, loving and honest.

I write this today to encourage you to purchase this book and the CD of wonderful songs that carries the same name and themes. You can purchase both here: http://www.carrienewcomer.com/ You'll also find clips of many wonderful songs (more on you tube) and a concert schedule on her site. She's a joy to hear in person, and you're sure to love the sing-alongs! Let's together pray, strive, and act on our longing for The Beautiful Not Yet.

[Bryan Boring Van Unen]

Carrie Newcomer writes profound, insightful, beautiful songs, poems, and essays that touch my own soul. I find myself gasping and laughing at how simple, but so continuously elusive the truths are that she manages to point out in her art. Her work inspires me as both a musician and as a spiritual seeker. This little book adds a whole other dimension to the album of the same name, and I am sure I will be returning to this book—as I do the music—time and time again for inspiration, hope, and a peek at the light when it gets too dark.

[Stephanie Curran]

Carrie doesn't know it, but she is my guru. I discovered her music over 15 years ago. Her lyrics have brought me hope through the years and given me courage to love even when it is hard. My son gave me a copy of this book that he bought and had autographed at one of Carrie's concerts. I am forever grateful for his thoughtfulness and love.

[Tara]

This was a birthday gift. I treasure these poems and essays. They are beautiful.

[Bridgett]

We need more of Carrie Newcomer's poems, essays, and songs in the world. I am going to remember Newcomer's day of blessing and try to do so myself.

[Penny]

A wonderful book of writing by this Quaker poet, songwriter, essayist. Touching and familiar subjects.

[Jay Schwermer]

What a wonderful book just for those moments when you need some grounding in your life. If for nothing else,the 17 pages of essays make it worthwhile. “Kindness is love in human size.”

[Lea]

More spiritual than I was expecting. Earlier works by the poet.

[Deborah-Ruth]

Recently author and song writer Carrie Newcomer released a new book filled with poems, prayers, speeches, and lyrics from her latest album “the Beautiful Not Yet.” Newcomer’s work could not have come at a better time in my life.
Recently, I have been going through a significantly painful transition. I’ve had to leave a job and way of life that I’ve loved being part of for the past 3 years in order to embrace the unknown. With no knowledge of what’s next it’s easy to become discouraged, discontent, and depressed. Listening to and reading Newcomer’s work has been a breath of fresh-air and allowed me to shift my focus.
Newcomer whose spirituality deeply encompasses the Quaker values of peace, solitude, and simplicity, offers loving, honest reminders of God being present in the secular and the sacred. Her writings portray an honest sensitivity and deep emotional connection with her readers as she ventures into issues of aging, ill-health, and transition. We joyfully join her in her gardening metaphors and marvel at her artistic grace in explaining painful daily realities. Newcomer sings with a rich, strong acoustic-jazzy voice with poignant lyrics and smooth vocal energy. Her work is profound not only as poetry but as prayer artwork – a tapestry of taize, a dance of delight.
I was given a complimentary copy of Carrie Newcomer’s work with no obligation to write a review (whether positive or negative) about her work. Yet, I can honestly say that this CD is one of the few where I listened to it multiple times, pausing and rewinding just to get the full feel of her words. I hope you will also consider getting a copy for yourself and seeing the wonders that this album can bring to your heart and the strength it can bring to a weary soul.

For more information about how you can get a hole of Newcomer’s materials please visit: http://www.carrienewcomer.com/

(Submitted by: https://debdebbarak.wordpress.com/)

[Paul Manytravels]

Like Newcomer's first book and like her wonderful music, this book shows an understanding of people that really resonates with me. Like most great artists, especially poets, Newcomer has her hand on the pulse of life, its mystery, its joy, its challenges and its splendor. This book of poetry, song lyrics, and essays moved me in many of its offerings. I especially liked "The Gunflint Trail," and "Kindness." In fact, I think "Kindness" ought to be printed and posted in every possible public location. It serves as a reminder to us all that we touch each other and in that touch we also experience ourselves. We all need more love in our lives and loving, as the poet points out, starts with simple acts of kindness.
To me, good poetry collections are those that will draw me back to them again and again. Within them, I find poems to memorize, to copy off and keep in a notebook of my very favorite or most memorable poems, and poems that I immediately see relate directly to me and the life I am living. This collection is just such a collection and I am sure I will return to it often.