Greetings, readers!
As I type this, it is storming outside, and I am reminded that April is now upon us (“April showers bring May flowers.”). Not that I needed a reminder; it seems as though each time I have turned around this year, another month has just flown by.
Nevertheless, I hope that this newsletter finds you all doing well in the year 2021. Per usual, there is plenty of turmoil and controversy in the world – which we hear about each day in the news – but that’s the world for you. My hope and prayer is that we can all find ways to make it through, and draw upon the gifts and abilities that we are given to help make this planet of ours a better place. That certainly is my intention.
To that end, I am thankful to be able to say that have been finding some time to write this month – certainly not as much as I would like, what with a career, family, not to mention an impending career transition that will be happening soon. At the same time though, I am thankful to continually find inspiration in small things, which often leads to new poetry (some of which I will share with you momentarily).
Speaking of poetry, the big news this month is that my new book of poems, titled “Lighthouse,” has been published. It is available for purchase through this website, as well as Amazon. I am very excited about this, and I hope that you will consider purchasing a copy.
Additionally, I hope to finish up my final (for now) short story which is to be included in a short fiction collection, which I hope to publish one day soon. One of my goals for the month of April is to sit down and “prioritize” the writing projects that I have in mind; the short fiction collection, my “Soul Sprints sequel” (which I’ve had in mind for a while), and another novel, whose main idea / plot line I will keep secret for now. Stay tuned!
I promised you a poem, so here’s the titular poem for my latest poetry book, called “Lighthouse.” Enjoy!
Lighthouse
You may be the lighthouse in someone’s storm,
You may be the salve for their ills,
Yet a lighthouse must suffer the gale-force winds
That bring violent and withering chills.
You may be the lighthouse in someone’s storm;
The haven in which they feel safe;
Yet a lighthouse withstands the harsh, battering rains,
Which erode, eviscerate, and strafe.
You may be the lighthouse in someone’s storm
Whose life has been shredded asunder;
Yet the lighthouse must stare down Mother Nature’s own wrath,
Against the menace of lightning and thunder.
A lighthouse beams radiance to lost ships at sea,
And through uncertain harbors it guides,
Yet who is the one who brings salve to the lighthouse,
In whose care does the lighthouse abide?
So yes, be a lighthouse, be a foundation true,
That thirsty souls might drink from your well;
But remember your own soul, and its need for heaven,
And respite from the forces of hell.
JWG
2020
Again, I wish you all the very best in the month of April 2021, and I look forward to hopefully getting to connect with you all in person (at a book event, or just casually) very soon!
God bless.
John
