Descent, Ascent, Transfiguration

This collection of poems is a series categorized within each word of the title: Descent, Ascent, Transfiguration. The collection illuminates a disordered, darkened mind--akin to Hell--suffering leading toward joy, and finally breaking through to a transfiguring perspective of the world. The poems'' intent is Dantean, touching on the tensions of life, death, suffering and pain, despair, hope, sin, redemption, and grace. In some ways it is a Baroque work: fragmentary, beautiful, painful, yet hope shining through. There are poems dedicated to literary giants, such as Flannery O''Connor, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and Tolkien, some Norse mythology, and beautiful natural imagery. It is a very personal collection, but speaks to many who have walked the rough trodden road lined with dragons and even a few pleasant inns along the way--a journey taken alone, but also with important edifying friendship that buoys the soul.