THE WAY BACK TO OURSELVES
Literary Journal
The Spring Collection 2024: RENAISSANCE
I T ‘ S H E R E !
M A S T H E A D:
Editors: Sarah Steele, Kimberly Kralovic, and Ashley Whittemore
Founder and Editor-in-Chief: Kimberly Phinney
RENAISSANCE (n.)- a renewal or rebirth; a new growth or burst of activity; a revival of the old or lost; a period of vigorous artistic and intellectual productivity
The Way Back to Ourselves is humbled to present a chorus of voices in our FOURTH publication. This beautiful collection is still just the beginning of what we hope to achieve as a community of faithful creatives. So, won’t you join us in welcoming these talented artists? Please, read widely. Comment. Encourage. Share. Connect. Some of our writers are quite established with multiple publications and awards, while other writers are newer voices with something powerful to say. We believe in nurturing both. Each piece brings a celebration for the human experience, the natural world, and a creator God. And together, they call us back to ourselves— back to quiet, meaning, and awe.
We hope you enjoy this RENAISSANCE and the MORE THAN FIFTY talented writers that lie herein. May they stir you AWAKE, push you toward FAITH, and beckon you to live the CREATIVE life God destined for you.
MAY YOU FEEL A REBIRTH SIMMERING IN YOUR SOUL.
FEATURED: Absolution and Other Poems
Award-winning poet Nicholas Trandahl writes about memories, suffering, and the yearning for a renaissance in his poems “Absolution” and “Grand Canyon.”
FEATURED: Anemone Blue and Other Poems
Kristine Amundrud writes an anthem of revival and renewal in “Anemone Blue” and reminds us of spring’s new life brimming beneath the surface in her poem “True Leaves.”
FEATURED: Wayfinding in Spring and Other Poems
In her garden-inspired poems, author Jody Collins prayerfully meditates about the deepest themes of life: what it is to become, heal, and know.
FEATURED: Flowers in My Belly and Other Poems
Deidre Braley, writes about nature, love, longing, and faith in her divine poems “Flowers in My Belly” and “Dark Night of the Soul at Dawn.”
FEATURED: Spring Stirring
From gnarled trees to the farmer’s steaming coffee, Mary Folkerts gives her readers imagery in “Spring Stirring” that walks from the despair of death to the first hope of new life.
FEATURED: Practicing Resurrection: Art and Meditation
In her art and reflection, artist and writer Hannah Sanders meditates on memento mori, rebirth, and her artistic approach in her charcoal/watercolor piece, Practicing Resurrection.
FEATURED: A Thousand Wild Tomorrows
Edward L. Holmes II beautifully articulates the journey we take to embrace the wilderness inside each of us with audacious hope and energy in his verse.
FEATURED: For All the Mothering Trees
In her poem “All the Mothering Trees,” Tasha Jun’s beautiful imagery of nature reminds us of the new life that comes in the wake of the changing seasons.
FEATURED: The Shape of Mountains and Other Poems
Kate Lab writes about renewal, faith, and the power of nature in “The Shape of Mountains” and her other imagistic and moving poems.
FEATURED: Ninth-Circlers: A Modern Sonnet
In his haunting poem “Ninth-Circlers,” Zachary Bartles harnesses the sonnet form to meditate on his Inferno-esque themed poem, which is a true modern feat made in homage to the Renaissance.
Come DREAM with Us: The Cultivate Retreat
The Way Back to Ourselves is EXCITED to announce our FIRST-EVER workshop, The Cultivate Retreat. Come join us June 22-23 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for a BEAUTIFUL weekend of learning, healing, community, and creativity.
Martyrpiece and Other Poems
Courtney Moody writes about the laborious sacrifice of the artist’s work, the pain required to grow, and the beauty of a new age of renaissance in her trio of poems.
In the Kitchen on Ash Wednesday and Other Poems
Through the lens of the seemingly mundane, Katie Drobina eloquently reminds us of the hope we have in her poems “In the Kitchen on Ash Wednesday” and “Birdsong.”
Ferns Unfurling: Essay with Photography
In “Ferns Unfurling,” Bethany Peck touches on the rebirth of the once dead earth. Along the forest floor lies emerging life. There’s tremendous joy in the new spring season.
Dandelion in February and Other Poems
In “Dandelion in February,” Elizabeth Houseman recognizes those who truly see others and make them feel like they belong. “The Woman I Am” is both lament and anthem for accepting the path before you, even when it looks different than you imagined.
The Mother Tree and Other Poems
In her maternal poetry, Chelsea Fraser mediates on motherhood, life, anticipation, and wholeness in her nature and literature-inspired work.
Light Spill and Other Poems
In her trio of poems, Alexis Ragan celebrates life, light, spring, and the beauty of second chances after a dark season in her life.
An Audacious Hope
In “An Audacious Hope,” Kelly Meagher equal parts mourns and accepts her season of life, crediting both pottery and poetry for guiding her toward healing.
You’re Invited: The Poetry Hour- Get Writing, Get Published
The Way Back to Ourselves is EXCITED to announce our FIFTH workshop, The Poetry Hour: Get Writing, Get Published! Come join us for a night of learning, community, and creativity. We will be teaching you powerful craft hacks for your writing, along with how to publish independently, traditionally, and in journals/magazines. Join us May 14, 2024, at 8:30 p.m. EST. Register NOW! Seats are limited. Questions? Email us at thewayback2ourselves@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you! Can’t wait to SEE you again! YOU BELONG HERE.
Nature Study and Other Poems
Bre Strobel reflects on change, growth, and gentle wisdom in her poems “Nature Study” and “Burnout.”
Start your journey.
It starts today— in the small steps you take, the hands you hold, the prayers you say, and the hard things you conquer…
The way back isn’t as far as you think.
COUNSELING AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS COMING IN 2024…