Roger Housden est l'auteur d'une vingtaine d'essais. Son œuvre explore souvent les thèmes de la beauté, de la poésie et de la recherche de sens dans la vie quotidienne, examinant comment l'art et l'esthétique peuvent mener à une compréhension plus profonde et à une croissance personnelle. Le style de Housden est connu pour sa nature introspective et sa capacité à relier les réflexions philosophiques aux expériences personnelles.
Offers 98 of the finest poems from both historic and contemporary writers. This title puts a spotlight on the great spiritual voices of Christianity, a body of work that is unendingly rich, varied and inspiring.
Ten Poems to Open Your Heart is a book devoted to love: to the intimacy of personal love and lovemaking, to a loving compassion for others, and to the love that embraces both this world and the next. This new volume from Roger Housden features a few of the same poets as his extraordinarily moving Ten Poems to Change Your Life, such as Mary Oliver and Pablo Neruda, along with contributions from Sharon Olds, Wislawa Szymborska, Czeslaw Milosz, Denise Levertov, and others. Any one of the ten poems and, indeed, any one of Housden’s reflections on them, can open, gladden, or pierce your heart. Through the voices of these ten inspiring poets, and through illustrations from his own life, Housden expresses the tenderness, beauty, joys, and sorrows of love, the presence of which, more than anything else, gives human existence its meaning. As Housden says in his eloquent introduction, “Great poetry happens when the mind is looking the other way and words fall from the sky to shape a moment that would normally be untranslatable. . . . When the heart opens, we forget ourselves and the world pours in: this world, and also the invisible world of meaning that sustains everything that was and ever shall be.” From the Hardcover edition.
Poems can teach us in ways that surpass other forms of understanding, especially when the subject concerns matters of the heart. When the heart’s whispers are too faint for us to hear in ordinary ways, poetry can speak to us with another kind of eloquence. From the leap of joy that a couple takes on their wedding day to a fiftieth wedding anniversary that acknowledges the deep connection that a life together can bring, marriage takes us on a journey that passes through seasons and stages, peaks and valleys. This book honors that journey through twenty poems that celebrate and illuminate some of these major stages and provides not only inspiration for the journey but also solace and wisdom. Roger Housden, the author of Ten Poems to Change Your Life, provides essential insights into the poems, creating a collection of reflective prose and poetry that makes this an inspirational guidebook as much as a volume of poetry. In Twenty Poems to Bless Your Marriage, Roger Housden offers poems and essays that will give voice to your heart, offering up words and wisdom not just for special occasions but to act as friends and guides to refer to throughout the life of a marriage.
Great poetry calls into question everything. It dares us to break free from the safe strategies of the cautious mind. It opens us to pain and joy and delight. It amazes, startles, pierces, and transforms us. It can lead to communion and grace. Through the voices of ten inspiring poets and his own reflections, the author of Sacred America shows how poetry illuminates the eternal feelings and desires that stir the human heart and soul. These poems explore such universal themes as the awakening of wonder, the longing for love, the wisdom of dreams, and the courage required to live an authentic life. In thoughtful commentary on each work, Housden offers glimpses into his personal spiritual journey and invites readers to contemplate the significance of the poet's message in their own lives. In Ten Poems to Change Your Life, Roger Housden shows how these astonishing poems can inspire you to live what you always knew in your bones but never had the words for. "The Journey" by Mary Oliver "Last Night as I Was Sleeping" by Antonio Machado "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman "Zero Circle" by Rumi "The Time Before Death" by Kabir "Ode to My Socks" by Pablo Neruda "Last Gods" by Galway Kinnell "For the Anniversary of My Death" by W. S. Merwin "Love After Love" by Derek Walcott "The Dark Night" by St. John of the Cross
The journey to Iran reveals a profound transformation for Roger Housden, who, despite extensive travel, discovers a new depth to his understanding of the world. This exploration not only fulfills a long-held fascination but also challenges his perceptions and enriches his life experiences, showcasing the beauty and complexity of a culture he had only imagined.
The narrative explores the spiritual quest of a modern pilgrim, emphasizing that sacredness is defined by personal resonance rather than traditional paths. Roger Housden shares his experiences from diverse locations, including the Sahara and Manhattan, illustrating how these journeys connect the inner self with the outer world. Through his adventures, he redefines contemporary pilgrimage, showcasing how authentic experiences can awaken deeper awareness and meaning in life. The story invites readers to reflect on their own journeys of discovery.
Exploring the lives of ordinary individuals, the narrative reveals a hidden America that thrives on creativity and spiritual vibrancy, often overlooked by mainstream media. Through his journey, Roger Housden highlights the profound connections people have with their inner voices amid daily life, presenting a compelling counter-narrative to common perceptions of the nation. His poetic prose captures the essence of a diverse and dynamic culture, showcasing the richness of human experience across the United States.
"In our culture of "get more, have more, be more," is there any place for "thanks, I'm good"? Bestselling author and acclaimed teacher Roger Housden says yes in this alternative to nonstop striving and self-criticism. Whether about our relationships, careers, or spirituality, many of us judge ourselves as not measuring up when we would certainly experience more fulfillment if we stopped struggling with ourselves. Housden came to some of these realizations in an extraordinarily challenging situation: being questioned by authorities while researching a book in Iran. In the midst of confinement, he knew, beyond all logic or reason, that he was actually free. Most of us will never find ourselves in such an extreme set of circumstances, but we may feel trapped by our behavior and experiences. Housden's words affirm that we can find peace and contentment, no matter what"--
In his bestselling Ten Poems series, Roger Housden has shown an uncanny ability to choose and discuss poems that strike at the core of readers' concerns and needs. In this new volume, ten extraordinary poems, along with Housden’s incisive essays, bring heartfelt insight and broad perspective both to our personal challenges and to our cultural and collective malaise. Ten Poems for Difficult Times is the perfect gift for oneself or for anyone in need of solace and inspiration Ten Poems for Difficult Times “Good Bones”; by Maggie “The Thing Is”; by Ellen Bass “The Quarrel”; by Conrad Aiken “Cutting Loose”; by William Stafford “Rain Light”; by W. S. Merwin “How the Light Comes”; by Jan Richardson “Now You Know the Worst”; by Wendell Berry “A Brief for the Defense”; by Jack Gilbert “It’s This Way”; by Nazim Hikmet “Annunciation”; by Marie Howe
