The advanced copy arrived!! I’m really excited to share the first looks at the new poetry anthology! You’re going to love it!! Poems by me and @poetrychapel collective poets. Out mid June.Details for preorder and…
Browsing Category Poetry
The Rhythm of Your Day
My father cleaned offices weeknights.My mother took the weekend night shifts, as a nurse.My wife is a night owl. My teen kids too.I’m happy to get up when it’s early.I write best when the dawn…
My take on the five-fold ministry – Moving beyond gifts and titles into virtuous maturity.
I don’t recall sharing this perspective on my thoughts around Ephesians 4:9-16 publicly. Partly because, when I developed it in 2017 I was travelling among several church circles which held a more exclusive view of…
So how should a Pastor behave? The problem with unexamined expectations and mythology.
It was a simple workshop exercise; write down one word or more that describes how a Church Pastor should behave. The 100+ counsellors and pastors attending the webinar hit their keyboards and the chat stream…
Long Goodbyes – a poem about dementia
Fading like the day.Life had been kind to mother’s bodybut not her memory. Mother called her by many names;Alice, Betty, Corrine,as if to scour the alphabet –but never guessing beyond E. She didn’t mind though.She…
If You Must – a poem and thoughts beyond deconstruction
If you must,deconstruct. Take every part;weigh, measure,keep and discardnecessary things. Take all the timeyou need. Butdo not campin the ruins. Discuss discoveriesbutdo not raise monumentsto your brilliance –brave as you may be. Instead,in time.build something…
Call Me a Girl – a poem and reflection on the Man Box
If crying in the presenceof loss or beautybreaks the mouldyou squeeze yourselfand all men into,call me a girl. If expressing my inner worldthrough movement, music,art and poetrymakes you squirm’cause that stuff’s dumb’,call me girl. If…
The Incarnation – a Christmas poem
Take all your hope and longing;cover it in blood, urine, faeces, straw.Cut the chord to your dreamswith a field knife or clenched jaw. Here lays the King of the Jews.Crowned between thighs,Held in arms of…
Hope – A poem for Advent Sunday #1.
The longing for lost thingsbegins as you do. Your mother was more mobilebefore you filled her belly.She lost her balancealong with sleepand shapeand random acts of selfishness. It’s strange;even thoughwe breathe lossinto our forming lungsbefore…
Sneak Peek! New Poetry Collection
This is the cheeky post before the official launch date post but I can’t wait to share this with you. This new poetry collection was written and published with a number of emerging poets. And…
TO MY SON: ON DATING AND I DOs – a poem
A woman’s body is not yours, son.And yours not hers.Never forget, she’s not yours to possess. Before you hold her to your hip,hold her in your heart, son in love. in adoration. in mutual respect….
Poetry and Publishing Collective – Expressions of interest open.
Perhaps this is you?! I’m looking for people interested in being part of a poetry and publishing collective. Here is what I have in mind, if it sounds a bit vague, it’s because I’m creating…
My Present Concern – a father’s poem
It seems this poem does resonate beyond Australia’s borders. I hear a quiet whisper among concerned parents like myself, but few step up to say much.
A poem for Pentecost
25 years ago I was born again into a tradition where speaking in other tongues was taught in a hyper-personal context. Reading Acts Chapter 2 again this year over Pentecost, I came to see a…
Have best-selling poet David Tensen write you a poem. Custom commission poetry.
Do you have an upcoming personal occasion or commercial event* you’d like to make extra special with something unique and beautiful? Have best-selling poet David Tensen write you a poem. David will write a one…
So I Wrote You A Poem – poems on loss, grief and faith. 2021 Special Collection Book
This poetry collection is truly unique. Written over 21 days combining anonymous stories from over 60 people who wrote to David on Instagram in January 2021. Available worldwide in softcover and eBook. Release date April…
I wrote random poems by request for 21 days straight. This is what I learnt.
Background: 3 weeks ago I put a call out on Instagram for followers to send me any stories they would like me to put into poetry. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Within days, my…
For the divorced ones
You said I doand you didn’tintend for it to endthe way that it did. God knows. And God knows how much it takesto hold beautiful and brokenpeople together.More than you know. And more than you…
Dear ACOA – A poem for those who grew up in homes with an alcoholic parent
It’s a four letter wordand it’s not kindor love, or hope.The word that best describesgrowing up withan alcoholic parentis shit. And it lingers for years.Stalking you into adulthood.Smearing itself on the edgeof broken promisesmaking reality…