The Affirmations

by Luke Hathaway (Author, Narrator), Daniel Cabena (Narrator)

”...a trans-mystical work of love and change...”—Ali Blythe, author of Hymnswitch

The mystics who coined the phrase "the way of affirmation" understood the apocalyptic nature of the word yes, the way it can lead out of one life and into another. Moving among the languages of Christian conversion, Classical metamorphosis, seasonal transformation, and gender transition, Luke Hathaway tells the story of the love that rewired his being, asking each of us to experience the transfiguration that can follow upon saying yes—with all one’s heart, with all one’s soul, with all one’s mind, with all one’s strength ... and with all one’s body, too.

Genres: Poetry, Queer, Canada, LGBT

3 pages, Audiobook

First published April 5, 2022

Reviews

[Dustin Resch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been savouring this collection for almost two months. I can’t say I always grasped the meaning of each poem (and sometimes they were completely elusive), but I consistently felt something in them that drew me back for more. Hathaway explores deeply theological themes—particularly the incarnation—but not in any kind of trite or predictable way. There is a deep sense of Love that permeates this collection; maybe that’s why I kept returning.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm listening to Hathaway's reading of "New Year Letter" for, perhaps, the sixth time. If I could write one poem that real and intimate, "given to the enfleshment of a vision," I would be forever content. (This, of course, is not true. Like Hathaway and Donne, I am a metaphysician and see something holy in discontent, but it is true that while Hathaway's poems may not be about "the sustenance of belief," they sustain return after return. They resist and entice.)




First "review": A book I'll be returning to again and again and again (as I already have with several of Luke's earlier works). I will probably edit this into a longer review later.

[Clare K H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the writing was fabulous. It helps that I love metaphysical poetry and also some understand catholic dogma/Latin mass. There were times I delighted in the cleverness or the newly wrought changes to a well know story or phrase / but other times it was weighted down by my own lack of an anchor to what the poet was trying to express. Other times I found it very dark and/or pretentious. Veryu mixed.

[Dorothy Mahoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Water they say is taught by thirst... thirst is also taught by water" is the beginning and the ending of the poem "As the hart panteth After the Water Brooks." Luke Hathaway's collection, The Affirmations is a sensitive and thought-provoking look at love and identity with a musical spirituality that is best experienced if you can hear him sing the poems. So magical. Apparently, the audio guide provides a fuller experience than just reading the book, although his lyrically phrases dance from the page.

[squidchianti]

Favorite line: "those who burn their love letters are twice warmed"

I don't know what to rate the book because I don't think I fully understood it!! Also, having distanced myself from the church as part of my coming out, it was a bit of an uncomfortable listen, personally :)

[Carla]

Astonishing poems. It’s in the tradition of mystical poetry— and yes, it’s about transitioning, but seen in a deeper spiritual context.