Artistic Alchemy: Transmuting Cinnabar Into Gold

Bazyns poems seek to encourage Christians of all stripes to present a new song unto the Lord--by actual example and useful advice. All sorts of issues relating to creativity are touched upon whether theological psychological sociological philosophical linguistic or autobiographical. Among the topics covered: finding your own voice; reading widely and deeply in the classics; being spare concise in your style; discovering your genuine self beneath its assorted masks; taking occasional flights of fantasy; considering your mind as a house of memory; perfecting your art even in a miniature way. Celebrating your mentors--among the authors are Dickinson Donne and Hafez; reflecting on your past by looking at old photographs; drawing inspiration from home and family; not allowing overly critical editors to stifle your creativity; recognizing that the artistic life may be a lonely and perilous journey toward fulfillment; seeking after Gods will in all that you do; never being afraid to head into deeper waters; acknowledging that we are at best half-converted souls. Black-and-white photos by the author illumine the themes of these pieces. Also there is a bibliography of recommended readings on creativity. Go and find your voice; then let it rise up to the Lord night and day. I like Bazyns writing and photography very much indeed. What impresses me most is the imaginative energy that he brings to the task. It is amazing! --Leland Ryken Author of A Complete Handbook of Literary Forms in the Bible I am astonished and delighted at the way Bazyn brings together spirituality culture philosophy myth and storytelling--along with captivating photos--to light up the meaning of words and phrases and life itself. --Michael Leach co-editor of The Way of Gratitude: Reflections for a Joyful Life Ken Bazyn is long-time editorial director of Religious Book Club. He has written The Seven Perennial Sins and Their Offspring and Soul-Wrestling: Meditations in Monochrome. His articles have been published in forty periodicals from Commonweal to Dialog and his photographs have appeared in forty-five magazines. Bazyns two previous books of poetry are Gospel Midrashim: Poems on the Life of Jesus and Jesting Angels: Gods Lighter Side; his poems have appeared in sixteen little magazines.