by David Tensen | 2 Feb, 2021 | All, Poetry
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 inbox was filling up with heart-wrenching stories including clergy suicide attempts, messy... 
by David Tensen | 29 Jan, 2021 | All, Poetry
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 know stood at the altarwith hope and dreamsof... 
by David Tensen | 26 Jan, 2021 | All, Poetry, poetry tiles to share
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 hard to... 
by David Tensen | 23 Jan, 2021 | All, Poetry
I had a blast getting to know Jonathan Puddle during this interview. We spoke for a couple of hours and he cut the chat into this lovely 50min podcast. We chatted all things upbringing, inner healing, breakdown, church and, of course, poetry. Find it here or look for... 
by David Tensen | 11 Jan, 2021 | All, Poetry
Last week I put out a call out on Instagram that if anyone had a story they’d like turned into poetry, I’d try write one. A good number of stories came through. Most of them were from people looking for words to wrap around loss and... 
by David Tensen | 24 Dec, 2020 | All, Poetry
His face pressed against her breast. So thisis what he looks like. The one the prophets spoke of. The one the angel offered. Her eyes catch Joseph’s gaze. Mary whispers, ‘He looks like us!’ ‘YHWH looks like us.’ His turned-up nose now hunting for milk. With trembling... 
by David Tensen | 1 Dec, 2020 | All, Poetry
It’s not every day you sail into the sunset. In fact, it may be that you’ve never sailed – in which case you could find a place at dusk facing the horizon and just as the sun’s gentle fingers brush against the evening’s curve you could close your... 
by David Tensen | 26 Nov, 2020 | All, Poetry
Yesterday, I was shamefully reminded of a decision I made in 2013 to move into voluntary bankruptcy. Yesterday, the 7 year old record of bankruptcy record was an instant roadblock to something I really wanted to do. I’m still down about it, to be honest. Hence, the... 
by David Tensen | 10 Nov, 2020 | All, Poetry
I cannot begin by explaining how this all events fell into place so quickly and smoothly but the audiobook for The Wrestle is complete and will go on sale 15th November 2020 directly via this website.** What makes this audiobook special to me is that a very kind and... 
by David Tensen | 1 Nov, 2020 | All, Poetry
Get me to the store! Available direct from the author (here) and through all good book retailers, worldwide. Watch the unboxing Guess who is narrating the audio book? 
by David Tensen | 18 Oct, 2020 | All, Poetry
It was great catching up with old friend and cool host of the show After Church, Tink Mcleod. Here’s a recording of our interview. I discussed transition, change and weaved in some poetry too. Here is the YouTube link:... 
by David Tensen | 9 Oct, 2020 | All, Poetry
Guess what!?! The proof print copy of my new collection of poetry, The Wrestle, arrived in the post today. I pressed record on the dash to share the moment with you. I even read the title poem from the collection. It is due for pre-sale in a few weeks with the... 
by David Tensen | 9 Aug, 2020 | All, Poetry
Friday August 7th was Aged Care Employee Day in Australia (I only just discovered). I wrote this poem several weeks ago as part of a series on the aged and ageing. I was going to save it for publication but I think it’s perhaps worth sharing and honoring people,... 
by David Tensen | 27 Jul, 2020 | All, Poetry
The reply, ‘Sorry I’m busy’ s’enough, to appease the greatest request. Rarely do you need to say more, ‘Busy, how?’ is anyone’s guess. So I’ve made a list for those of you, who feel guilty when trying to say No. Twelve... 
by David Tensen | 11 Jul, 2020 | All, Poetry, Resource
It was a privilege being interviewed by Miriam E. Miles as part of her Poetically Speaking podcast/vidcast. We spoke on the offering of poetry and its importance in the 21st Century. Towards the end I read a favourite poem and talk about the book I have in the... 
by David Tensen | 19 Jun, 2020 | All, Poetry
How was it she waited The troubled princess Till her very own Was on water like you To cast you out Class you out Race you out Have you escorted out At your mothers side How was it your father Heard YHWH Granting him obedience Beyond his troubled soul To send you out... 
by David Tensen | 13 May, 2020 | All, Poetry, Resource, Shame
Good news, the interview I did via Facebook LIVE with Wm Paul Young was recorded and is now on YouTube to watch (or listen to). It had over 10,000 views on Facebook and lots of amazing feedback. I think you’ll like it. Here is the link:... 
by David Tensen | 4 May, 2020 | All, business, leadership, Poetry
Once upon a time, a company was not held together by a legal structure. It was not limited and protected by firewalls of intricately woven words and laws crafted to protect its beneficiaries from having to… well… care. This isn’t to say that every... 
by David Tensen | 25 Apr, 2020 | All, Poetry
It’s as if the car broke down on our way to the future. And instead of waiting on the highway for roadside assistance, we moved into the car. I’m working from a plastic camping desk in my garage. A two-and-a-half grand Macbook on an shaky thirty dollar... 
by David Tensen | 30 Mar, 2020 | All, Poetry, Prayer
I wrote this a few days ago and wish to share it with you. To me, hand washing has become a kind of incremental baptism. As we move into this liminal period of lock-downs and isolation, my hope is that we will all emerge far more humane and compassionate than... 