The Fall Collection: TO THE MOUNTAINS coming soon…
Listen to the poets of The Way Back to Ourselves Literary Journal perform their work with our podcast, The Poetry Corner, a spin-off from The Way Back Podcast, hosted by Edward Holmes and Deidre Braley.
Shining Slant and Other Poems
Elizabeth Wickland explores light before darkness in a new season in “Shining Slant,” “Mother Nature,” and “For the Love of Winter.”
Autumn Ode to an Acorn
In her prose poem, “Autumn Ode to an Acorn,” Heather Lobe Johnson finds herself in the story of an acorn, as she reminisces about the past and looks toward the future.
Emotional Support Nuthatch and Other Art
In this offering, interdisciplinary artist Erin Stinson explores her own healing journey through her experiences with nature through poetry, photography, and watercolor.
Red-Tailed Hawk and Field Mouse and Other Poems and Photography
Elizabeth Houseman draws us into a unique perspective on nature in her inspirational black-and-white photos. She observes nature carefully—looking both up and down—and shares what these creatures have to offer in “Red-Tailed Hawk and Field Mouse” and “Centipede.”
Wonder of a Word, Meteorite, and Other Poems
In here essay, “Wonder of a Word,” Kristine Amundrud demonstrates peace in the storm and God’s kindness through words. Then, Kristine writes about healing, searching, and faith in three stunning nature-infused poems, “Meteorite,” “Lionheart,” and “Wild Angels.”
In Translation: A Poem and Three Photographs
Venture deep into the mountains, as Kimberly Phinney comes face-to-face with the spiritual forces of nature in her poem “In Translation” and her accompanying nature photography.
In the Presence of My Enemies
In her powerful poem, “In the Presence of My Enemies,” Mary Folkerts writes a Psalm 23-inspired meditation about how God meets her in her darkest moments with his abundance.
Forest Gifts and This Worldly Grace
Sue Fulmore explores how the patterns and rhythms of nature speak truth into our daily lives in her essay “This Worldly Grace,” and in her poem “Forest Gifts,” she draws us into the wealth of beauty to be discovered in the Autumn season.
Life Burns
In “Life Burns,” Kassi Wilson explores the idea of waiting as she sits still in front of her pond.
When the Woods Whisper Your Name: An Essay and Three Photographs
In “When the Woods Whisper Your Name,” Donna Bucher takes a walk through a childhood forest and finds meaning and connection to the past. She also shares her photography with flowers and a waterfall as her subjects.
Quiet Things and Other Poems
In her poetry, Chelsea Fraser finds wonder and celebrates maternal strength in the great outdoors—be it in an owl’s flight, an old maple tree, or the natural landscape.
He Asks Me If Fairies Are Real
Inspired by an earnest question from her son, Deidre Braley’s poem, “He Asks Me if Fairies Are Real,” pays homage to childhood, nature, and wonder—three things one should always hold dear.
War of Silences and Other Poems
Greg Basch fights within his own mind and is met with the Sacred in “War of Silences.” Then he reminds us how we desperately need beauty to survive in “Oxygen.”
How to Polish a Petoskey and Other Poems
Sarah Steele explores wholeness and beauty in “How to Polish a Petoskey,” “City Coffee Shop Musings,” and “The Most Beautiful Thing.”
In the Midst of These That Do Not Toil
In her poem “In the Midst of These that Do Not Toil,” Sheila Dougal reminds us of beauty to be found in the restful resilience of nature and the calling on each of us to learn from its example.
Hymn of the Flatland Wanderer and Other Poems
Courtney Moody explores how nature can bring us to our depths and also to God in “Hymn of the Flatland Wanderer,” “Wild Sabbath,” and “Back in the Origins.”
Wildflower
Camilla Richardson invites us to experience nature from the perspective of creation in her poem “Wildflower.”
Where Deer Walk Unafraid
Christopher James summons us to return to the heart of the wilderness in his poem “Where Deer Walk Unafraid.”
Shattered Clay, Shining Treasure
Join Christel Jeffs as she collects ordinary moments in “Shattered Clay, Shining Treasure.”
A Highland Hike in the Blue Ridge
In her poem “A Highland Hike in the Blue Ridge,” Gail Davidson beautifully articulates her spiritual encounter on a hike through God’s creation.
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It starts today— in the small steps you take, the hands you hold, the prayers you say, the art you make, and the hard things you conquer… The way back isn’t as far as you think.
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