We Go On

Wednesday Poetry Club. Plus, a song from Matt Doering.

Tanner Olson

and

Matt Doering

Jul 16, 2025

Hello!

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.

Get 20% off for 1 year

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.

I have a handful of words for you to sit with today.

First, isn’t a poem, but rather a song from Matt Doering.

SEASONS

They say there’s seasons to life
Some are beautiful and others dark as night
And I’m hopin’ through it all
I’ll be a better man

Some days are like summer gettin’ burned by the sun
So I jump in the water and cool right down
Other days are like autumn I’m shakin’ like the leaves
Seems that all it takes to sway me is the smallest breeze

They say there’s seasons to life
Some are beautiful and others dark as night
And I’m hopin’ through it all
I’ll be a better man

Some days are like winter the cold makes me bitter
And I just need somethin’ to come and melt my heart
But I’m livin’ for the spring time all is made new
And I look to my Savior the One that’s always true

They say there’s seasons to life
Some are beautiful and others dark as night
And I’m hopin’ through it all
I’ll be a better man

If I’m honest I know that in the end
Through the chaos and beauty
I’ll be a better man

Matt Doering is a singer/songwriter & producer living in Austin, Texas with his wife, daughters, and dog, Boomer.

Seasons can be found on his highly acclaimed EP, Developing.

Matt and Tanner host Nights of Music, Poetry, and Hope at churches and other venues. These shows were created to slow us down, lift us up, and remind us we’re not alone. through live music, honest poetry, and heartfelt storytelling.

Through songs and spoken word, we invite you into a conversation about faith, doubt, love, and hope — the kind of night that feels more like a deep breath than a performance.

To have us at your church, conference, living room … tap the button below to inquire about an event today. We’d love to come spread a little hope in your town.

Music, Poetry, and Hope

Today’s poem is one I often share from the stage. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating: I write what I need to hear. And mostly what I need to hear is:

1. You are not behind or a burden.
2. You are loved.
2. Everything is going to be okay.

When I sit down to write I do my best to offer words that speak into the quiet places of doubt, delay, and disappointment. And more often than not, I find that others need to hear them too.

There’s something sacred about honest language: humble, simple words that hold our questions and fears while gently pointing us toward hope.

This poem is a reminder of what you may already know—that we’re not alone, grace is still unfolding, and even when life doesn’t go as planned, we are still being carried by the promises of a loving God.

May these words offer you comfort, courage, and a reason to keep going through every season.

We Go On

You and I have more in common
than belly buttons and bad morning breath,
fears and a future death.

I know you know what it’s like
when life doesn’t go the way you want it to go.
When dreams grow distant,
and prayers aren’t answered the way you thought they should be.
When unexpected problems arise,
and you’re left empty-handed, wondering why.

When you wake up with a dark cloud over your mind,
and hope is the last thing your tired hands can find.

You aren’t the only one always merging into the stopped or slow lane,
thinking you’re last or late, falling behind.
And when it comes to living,
I feel like I’m always falling behind.

Everyone is ahead, and I am, well, here.
I’m no Lightning McQueen or Michael Phelps,
but along the way, I’ve been given some advice that helps:
I’ve been told wisdom is as good as gold.

Don’t give up.
Sit still for another moment before you get up and go,
and when you go,
take it slow.

Life is not a problem to solve or resolve.
It’s a gift,
not a burden,
not a mess,
not just another thing to stress.

Take a moment to pray.
Drop to your knees or fold your hands,
either way, God hears what you have to say.

You can’t predict the sunshine or rain,
the beauty or pain,
but you can continue,
with wonder and grace,
with mercy and faith.

Ask for help when you don’t know.
And I know you know that you don’t know.

I know you’ve got questions and dreams,
feelings and fears,
bring them into the light.
It’s hard to find your way
when you're wrestling in the dark of night.

Open your hands and let those scars show.
Step into the sunlight and continue to grow.
Let go of balance,
let your life find a rhythm and flow.

Don’t you know?
The Tomb is still empty,
and life is still full.
Hope is alive,
and good continues to arrive.

All of this,
it won’t go the way you think it will go.
But we will keep going.

And as we go on,
we open our hands and sing the truth that moves us along:

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host,
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

We go on.

Long live the Wednesday Poetry Club!

Much love,

Tanner

PS
If you’d like to listen to more of my poetry, check out my latest poem Come Back to Yourself.

Listen

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?