Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope
Wednesday Poetry Club. Selected pages from my book to celebrate 3 years!
Hello!
Before we jump into today’s poems … welcome!
My name is Tanner. I am an author, spoken word poet, and speaker. Every week I share a few hopeful poems, prayers, and reflections. If you enjoy the words I share, I’d love to have you support this ministry at the monthly, annual, or founding member level.
Welcome to the Wednesday Poetry Club.
If you want to know more about Wednesday Poetry Club, scroll to the bottom for all the details, but all you really need to know is that Wednesday Poetry Club is for poets, readers, and anyone who loves language. It lives entirely on Substack. Every Wednesday, poems are shared, inspiration is sparked, and a sense of community grows.
Usually we have a guest poet on these Wednesday posts, but today I want to share with you a handful of poems from my book, Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.
The book released 3 years ago this month.
I had always wanted to write a book of poems and prayers to pair with devotion time.
Something like dessert to go with Scripture reading.
This is a book for those who spill their coffee on Monday mornings.
For those who persevere through rush-hour traffic.
For those who long for a vacation.
For those who attend Sunday services with little ones at their side or sit alone waiting for change to happen.
For those who need a little hope.
For those searching for the words to pray.
For those who simply, yet bravely, love Christ with their whole hearts.
This is a book for those of us who are taking each day one step at a time with faith.
Selected pages from Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope
New
I walked up the street toward the rising sun.
Again I couldn’t sleep.
My mind was moving and I decided my feet should as
well.
Light slowly pushed the dark aside as I climbed the hill
outside our home.
Shadows followed as the late fall breeze rolled toward me.
I pushed my hands deep into my pockets and pressed on.
I inhaled, closing my eyes for one step, two.
Cool air scratched down my lungs.
I watched my breath escape before now-open eyes.
I thanked God,
the start of my morning prayer.
I felt known.
I felt new.
An invitation to begin again.
Consider the Wildflowers
And tomorrow when I wake
I’ll consider the wildflowers.
Simple and beautiful and cared for.
Seen and celebrated and chosen.
Full of life and color and hope.
Living proof that a seed can become a growing
reminder of change.
Like us.
Everything I Do Matters
I am learning to not give up on myself.
Everything I do matters.
There is purpose in every breath and every step,
every no and every yes.
Your mercy is new every morning,
even this one,
and the one before.
And it will be there tomorrow too.
And tomorrow is a good day to not give up on myself.
Everything I do matters.
This I am coming to believe.
Every New Day
Every new day I remind myself that this day, the one right
in front of me, is a gift.
A beautiful and simple and intricate and loving gift.
A gift thought of long before it ever arrived and I am
invited to open it up and come alive.
I am allowed to feel and explore and love and dream and
create and cry and try and spread hope and give back and
hold on.
I am welcome to rest and write and daydream and forgive
and be forgiven and celebrate.
I am invited to walk beneath the sun and sit below the
stars and pray out loud or in my head or with my hands.
This day, the one right in front of me, is a gift.
And I will not let it pass away.
Alright. That’s it.
Long live the Wednesday Poetry Club!
Much love,
Tanner
Website | 📚 Books | On Instagram | On Facebook | ⭐️ Online store
What is Wednesday Poetry Club?
Wednesday Poetry Club is for poets, readers, and anyone who loves language. It lives entirely on Substack. Every Wednesday, poems are shared, inspiration is sparked, and a sense of community grows.
A few things to clarify about Wednesday Poetry Club:
Some have asked, what time on Wednesday does Poetry Club meet?
There is no time. You just share a poem on Wednesday.
There is no meeting. You just share a poem on Wednesday.
So, it’s really simple?
Yes, we don’t have to complicate everything. Just share a poem and tell people you’re part of a poetry club that shares poetry on Wednesdays.
The whole point of the Wednesday Poetry Club is to write and share poetry. On Wednesday’s we want to flood Substack with poems! So, if you care about poetry and want to be part of something creative and meaningful, you are part of the club.
How do people know I am part of the Wednesday Poetry Club?
We have some logos you can add to your posts or images to show you're part of the club. You can also include this line in your post:
“On Wednesdays, a group of writers share their poems as part of the Wednesday Poetry Club.”
You can also make it part of your Subtitle in your post.
Something like, “Wednesday Poetry Club.”
So it’s really simple?
Yes. Maybe too simple.
Does it cost money?
No. Who has money? It’s free to join and participate. We do have merch, but anyone can just be part of the Wednesday Poetry Club.
How do I join?
Write a poem. Share it on Wednesday. Post in here on Substack. Mention that you’re part of the Wednesday Poetry Club. Tag me if you’d like. Add the logo to your post. Tell people about the club. That’s all it takes. You’re in. You might be writing on your own, but you’re not doing it alone.
What if I miss a Wednesday?
That’s totally okay. This is about showing up when you can and letting poetry be a joy, not a burden. But if you write a poem, why not share it on Wednesday?
Why Wednesdays?
Remember in Mean Girls, when they said, “On Wednesdays, we wear pink”? Well, on Wednesdays we share poems. It’s just what we do. You can wear pink if you’d like.
Also, it’s the middle of the week a little poetry pick-me-up might be just what we need.
So — want in?
Next Steps
Download the logos.
Share about the Wednesday Poetry Club on your Notes.
Grab some merch.
And as always … go write some poetry.
Wednesday’s Poetry Club. Written by Donna Morrison
Life is Fragile…Handle With Prayer
Life is Fragile…handle with prayer
The battles we are all fighting are everywhere
In the blink of an eye, our lives can change
They will never be the same, forever rearranged
God gives freely, call on His name
All of these emotions you are feeling are much too hard to explain
Set yourself on all things above
Surround yourself with all of those that you love
Let HIm tenderly guide you while He keeps you strong
It’s ok to have break downs, you’ve done nothing wrong
It’s ok to be irritated, frustrated or sad
Give Praise for He will always reward you with more than you had
You are hidden in a safe and loving place
Being filled with His love and Grace
Life is Fragile…Handle with Prayer…everyday…everywhere.
My Secret Garden
(a poem of nature and its teachings)
In the entangled fingers of the branches, dense concentrations of leaves and decaying nature, lies a path set forward. Hidden from the world outside, only visible to the birds and creepy crawlies. The sun peeks in through the holes of intertwined vines and foliage. It lures the eye to a mosaic of green shades and shapes. One can stare, trance-like, at the spot lit place, half expecting a performance by nature. I walk the path, senses perked, as a rabbit’s ears, to the sounds and sights. Knowing that I’m at home in a place without walls or roles defined. A settling to my anxious spirit, where birds calling bring comfort and peace. The trees standing aloft, not in a spirit of pride, but protection. As if they are saying “if you will allow me, I can grow ever so tall, and keep watch over you. Allow the bending and twisting of branches and roots to adorn. We will only deepen the beauty of the other, not detract.” So the flittering and scampering things teach, just as the trees, and the eyes of the sun, say, “we are not here to compete with the other, or call for your gratuitous accolades. We are here to be, and nothing more. Nothing less.”