A Few of My Favourite Writers by Alan Anderson

 

“God gave me poetry to help me from losing my mind in the darkness.”

…Alan Anderson

Perhaps because I am growing older, I am particular in what I read. I keep current in what I read but hold on to favourite writers I have loved for years. If I were to write a post on my favourite writers, we would need to split it into at least two or three parts. In this post, however, I will highlight but a few.

Henri Nouwen (1932 to 1996)

The writings of Henri Nouwen continue to hold my hands and let me know I am not alone. His book, The Wounded Healer, has nurtured my heart since I engaged with it years ago. Throughout my studies at seminary, Nouwen often attracted my attention as I sharpened my people-helping skills.

Henri Nouwen’s words helped me free myself from the head knowledge of what I was required to read at seminary. The tone, the sensitivity, the honesty of Nouwen’s writing, are evidence he spent quality time with people and was aware of his own times of darkness. His awareness of himself as a wounded healer allowed him to come alongside other people in their brokenness. With this self-awareness, he brought hope.

The writing of Henri Nouwen helped me develop my personal tagline, “touched by grief, held by hope,” for much of my writing. If I cannot show I have walked alongside people in my writing, I have missed the mark.

Rainer Maria Rilke (1875 to 1926)

A priest friend introduced me to Rilke’s work after my wife and I joined an Orthodox Christian church. I was hooked on Rilke’s poetry from then on.

Rilke’s stages of poetry paint a picture of one who is on a search in life. I appreciate his themes on existence, solitude, and the divine. A lesson to take from Rilke’s writing is to give deep thought to what one writes.

John O’Donohue (1956 to 2008)

If there was ever a poet of recent history, I would have loved to chat with Irish poet John O’Donohue would be the guy. I believe he and I would have been buddies. His book, Anam Cara, drew me in and established him as one of my favourite writers.

Anam cara is an ancient Celtic term for soul friend. This is such a beautiful thought to hold to your chest, dear reader. Here are a few lines from John O’Donohue to ponder,

“In everyone’s life, there is a great need for an anam cara, a soul friend. In this love, you are understood as you are without mask or pretension. The superficial and functional lies and half-truths of social acquaintance fall away, you can be as you really are. Love allows understanding to dawn, and understanding is precious. Where you are understood, you are at home. Understanding nourishes belonging. When you really feel understood, you feel free to release yourself into the trust and shelter of the other person’s soul.” Anam Cara, John O’Donohue, 1997, p. 14

Scott Cairns (1954 to present)

I first heard of Scott Cairns after listening to podcasts of poet Angela Doll Carlson. Both are Orthodox Christian poets I resonate with and love their way with words. Scott Cairns is a multi-published poet, memoirist, professor, workshop and retreat presenter.

These days I am reading his book, The End of Suffering, for the second time. He offers an even-tempered, not carried away by emotions, perspective on how one may find purpose in suffering and pain.

The writers I mention all stir my soul. There are those who make my soul weep. After reading their words, I often sit and ponder. I mull over what they teach me. There are times their words cause me to invite quietness and solitude to cloak me in silence.

I write best in quiet settings to calm my soul and help focus on how to present hope to those who honour me by reading my words. What about you, dear reader?

 

Alan lives in a small village called Deroche, British Columbia, with his wife, Terry, and their poodle, Charlie. He enjoys walking on the dike near his home with trees all around and where he finds inspiration to write. He occasionally writes articles for FellowScript Magazine and is a regular contributor to the InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship blog. Alan’s website and blog is https://scarredjoy.ca.