Love Poems from God (Book Review with Sample Poems)

Love Poems from God (Book Review with Sample Poems)

Love Poems from God book review

Love Poems from God is a book of poetry that includes twelve worldwide interfaith voices spanning the years from 717 and 1691. There are Christians, Muslims, and Hindus presented here, and it does not include Buddhists, Jews, or indigenous peoples. There are both men and women represented, and they include feminist sentiments from way back then, as well as erotic poems by recognized saints.

Here is the list of the twelve poets included: Rumi, St. Francis of Assisi, Hafiz, Kabar (new to me), St. Teresa of Avila, Tukaram (new to me), St. Catherine of Sienna, Mira (new to me), St. Thomas Aquinas, Rabja (new to me), Meister Eckhart (my favorite chapter; I need to read more of him), and St. John of the Cross.

I like both Rumi and Hafiz, and quote them often on this blog, but the choices in this book I did not feel were their best. It makes one wonder how representative are the rest? ( Click here for Rumi on this blog, or contrariwise click here for some good Hafiz I’ve quoted before.)

Below I took photos of some examples of short poems that caught my interest, so check them out.

Where is a comparable book of contemporary poets addressing God? If you know of a good one be sure to put it in the comments. There is still a wide window to be explored from 1691 – 2022!  I know of individual poets exploring God (like myself and maybe you), but no anthology.

What mostly stands out in this work is that regardless of backgrounds and faith traditions, they agree about God. Also, they were interested in the same topics we think about. I find this comforting. The big difference is that they were often killed (or ex-communicated, tortured, or reviled for their work– there are short bios on each poet) while those of us that think and create poems about these things today are mostly just ignored.

Anyway, I give this compilation within its narrow slice, four stars.

 

by St Francis of Assisi

 

by St. Francis of Assisi

 

by Meister Eckhart

 

by Meister Eckhart

 

by Meister Eckhart

 

by St. Thomas Aquinas

 

by Hafiz

 

by Kabir

 

by Mira

 

by St. Teresa of Avila

 

by St John of the Cross

 

I work to amplify good wherever I find it. I love color, texture, beauty, great ideas, nature, metaphor, deliciousness, genuine spirituality, and exploring new territory. I encourage authenticity, nurture creativity, champion sustainability, promote peace, and hope to foster a new renaissance where we all are free to be our most fulfilled, multifaceted, and terrific selves. Read more here.

3 Comments

  1. John+gregory 2 years ago

    I want this book.❤️

  2. Susan Krevitt 2 years ago

    Me, too.

    The last one made brought a tear.

  3. June S. 2 years ago

    It’s a rare inspiration that can uncover an aching joy — but those poems do that. Thanks for sharing this with us.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

Send this to friend