Hello!
Before we jump into today’s post … 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.
Warning: This is a long post with lots of links, so go to the bathroom before you start reading.
Substack friends!
Welcome to the Wednesday Poetry Club.
What is the Wednesday Poetry Club?
It’s a club. 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. And yes, you are invited.
Is it exclusive?
Yes. Every club is. If it wasn’t, it wouldn’t be a club. But here, being exclusive just means that if you care about poetry and want to be part of something creative and meaningful, you belong.
Are there meetings?
Maybe someday. But right now, it’s simple. Every Wednesday, we share poems on Substack. That’s the whole thing.
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.
So, no tryouts?
Nope. You’re already on the team.
Team?
I mean club. It’s a club. 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.
Will you share my poem?
I cannot say that I will share every poem that is written as part of the Wednesday Poetry Club, but I do plan to share as many as I can. Tag me in your poems. Send them to me. I’ll include them in future posts!
Why am I starting this?
For the past year, I’ve been posting a poem every Wednesday on Substack. Something like this. Sometimes I add a short reflection or a video of me reading it. It’s been a creative rhythm that keeps me focused, challenged, and connected. Now I want to invite others into that rhythm too.
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?
Comment below and let me know if your part of The Wednesday Poetry Club!
Next Steps
Download the logos.
Share about the Wednesday Poetry Club on your Notes.
Grab some merch.
And as always … go write some poetry.

Now, let’s get to today’s poem.
Today’s poem comes from my book of poetry, Walk A Little Slower. The video below is from a show I did a few months back alongside
in Houston, Texas. The video has an extra poem at the end of the video. Hope you enjoy!Walk A Little Slower
I think today I'll walk a little slower and breathe a little deeper.
I’ll leave my phone face down, inside, and
give my eyes a rest to see beauty beyond a screen.
I’ll grab a light jacket so I can still feel the cold wind, hold your hand until it gets sweaty, and I'll let go, but I'll never let go.
I’ll walk below and between shadows, cut through the field, cross the street when the cars clear.
Today I want to find myself beneath the limbs of the trees and later on below a few million stars.
Maybe we’ll see a dog or bump into old friends or both.
I’m not counting steps or miles, but I'm just walking because for now . . .
I can.
And I don't know what the future holds, if my days left are long or short or, well, you get it.
Maybe grief is around the corner or a missed call on my face-down phone back inside.
Maybe there is good news in my inbox or a miracle waiting in the welcome of next month.
In the morning, I’ll sit a little longer and drink a little deeper.
I’ll watch the light make its way through the dark morning.
The light always finds a way.
And I’ll remind myself life won’t always look the way it does.
Change is coming, and it might even be here.
I’ll remember the steps forward and the steps back that led me to where I am and before I begin to move these feet once again, I’ll slowly breathe in grace and exhale peace, knowing that every piece of me is here to be.
And whatever may become, well, for now,
for now, I’ll walk a little slower and breathe a little deeper.
Because right now, I'm alive.
And everything is okay.
It’s not perfect, and that’s okay.
And that’s what I'm learning to tell myself these days.
Everything is okay.
It’s not perfect, and that’s okay.
Alright. That’s it.
Long live the Wednesday Poetry Club!
Much love,
Tanner
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Can I share my first poem/ prayer?
A Prayer for the One Learning to Receive
Lord,
Teach me to receive what You freely offer.
Still my striving. Quiet the guilt that tells me I must earn love.
Make me like a watering can—open to Your grace, shaped for compassion,
spilling over with joy that doesn’t run dry.
Let me return again and again to Your dependable spigot.
Let me rest in the contentment of godliness,
the peace of being known and held.
Thank You for Your presence—
for the moon that watches over me,
the sun that warms me,
the wings that shelter me.
I make You my dwelling place.
You are enough.
Amen.
Happy to be here :)