There is nothing quite like truth Shining through the eyes of your lover Stark and piercing Coated with a cast of pain From words, Or dead, Or lack by you
A gentle stab Piercing the heart With the absolute knowledge You did it again It’s your fault That selfish flair flapped too hard And struck
There is nothing quite like truth Shinning from the eyes of your lover Now gentled to a glint Of wet release Acceptance of the blow you failed To control Absorbed
Transformed Into a warmth that strangles doubts Enfolds in forgiveness With arms that bind wounds Support boundaries Encouraging both To try again
There is nothing as beautiful as truth Shining from the eyes of your lover Lighting the road ahead Assurance of Together’s tomorrow As those eyes seek and speak Truth in love
I have been waiting for months to be able to share this publication with you. I am so thrilled and excited to announce that on October 31st my short story ‘Underground United’ was published in the Wayward and Upward anthology of stories and poems.
I am honoured to stand alongside so many other talented and hard-working writers and poets. The diverse backgrounds of the writers who were selected is exciting, the content is stunning, and the hard work by the publishers to make this project happen will not be forgotten.
The forty pieces in this book unite two creative endeavours at the heart of humanity: making music and telling stories. Each writer took inspiration from one of the ten tracks on the Wayward & Upward album by Spinoza Gambit. This anthology collects one short story and three poems for each track, showcasing the variety of interpretations a single piece of music can evoke.
Off Topic Publishing has played an important role in my personal growth as a writer, and now as well in my published career. The staff and Editor are all amazing individuals and I am so grateful to them for their hard work, and dedication to Canadian literature and excellence. I encourage any writers out there to connect with them and enjoy the community they are growing around the written word.
They have a monthly contest that is worth checking out and entering if you are a growing writer. The entry fee continues to be affordable and each entry receives feedback from the judges. I have never won this contest but several of the pieces I entered have gone on to see publication elsewhere. The feedback I received was encouraging, as well as important to my later success. Thank you to those judges!
Wayward and Upward is available for purchase directly from the publisher, as an ebook or in print form. Find it by clicking one of the links above or by visiting my own bookshop and following the links provided there.
Mary Grace van der Kroef
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Today I share my reading of the poem ‘Growth’ with all of you.
‘Growth’ is one of the 36 poems in my new poetry collection, ‘Words of Weight’. Now available at Amazon as an ebook and paperback book. Or barrow it with the Kindle Unlimited program.
If you have read my new book, please consider leaving an honest review. Each one is important regardless of star value, and we appreciate each one.
“Covering creative culture with Christianity Today“
“Within the pages of Ekstasis, we exhibit arts and letter that reflect the depths of Christian life.”
– from the Ekstasis Magazine About Page –
I have found the pages of Ekstasis Magazine, both online and in print, to be a place of great beauty and deep thought, reverence and worship, joy and celebration.
I would like to thank the editorial team for including my poem “Never Empty” in their Autumn online lineup.
I invite you to visit them and enjoy the many rich works of writers/artists of all kinds.
“Ekstasis publishes work that slants toward the triumphant and glorious aspects of life in Christ, framed through the arts and literature. Ekstasis is based in the work of Beautiful Orthodoxy, as defined by Christianity Today.”
– from the Ekstasis Magazine About Page –
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Hands outstretched Confession on quivering lips “I broke it.” Be it cup or figurine knocked upon the ground By careless elbows Compassion leaks from love itself Dripping into cracks as Helping hands hold the pieces together Waiting
Release is gradual Will it hold? Is it strong? In the cup of gentleness When it’s ready “It’s okay. We fixed it.” A young soul learns forgiveness And trust When asked to place the treasure Back home
Mary Grace Writing 