RINGING THE CHANGES

McCoy (Green and Burning, 2016, etc.) presents an anthology of poignant spiritual poetry.

The 46 poems in this collection vary in format, although most are unrhymed meditations on spirituality. The works are separated into four sections: “Dreams & Meditations,” “Waiting In Wonder/Advent Dreams,” “Lent/Pasch/Passover,” and “Ordinary Time.” The first section takes its cue from dream logic and offers dreamlike imagery in each poem. The second and third sections involve familiar stories from the Bible, such as Gabriel announcing the Christ child’s conception to Mary, but from Mary’s point of view. McCoy uses the Christian observances of Advent, Lent, and Easter, and the Jewish observance of Passover as settings for these religious narratives, and highlights the birth and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The final section offers a more modern glimpse of everyday spirituality, focusing on specific people whom the author believes are doing good, important spiritual work. In each section, McCoy chiefly draws on Christianity and Judaism but also touches on non-Abrahamic religions, such as Buddhism. McCoy plays with words in provocative ways, as with consonance: “there is / light on umber evenings, ombre rooms, amber hands.” A working knowledge of Christianity and Judaism will help readers navigate the straightforwardly religious poems, but a section at the end of the book defines and describes some of the more esoteric terms or ideas. However, this collection doesn’t evangelize—it’s a nonjudgmental and deeply personal exploration of spirituality, and of the search for spiritual knowledge.

A strong collection that showcases a humble, searching voice.