Out of the Depths: Poetry of Poverty--Courage and Resilience

A project of the Poverty Initiative of the Union Theological Seminary in New York City, Out of the Depths: Poetry of Poverty—Courage and Resilience is a compelling anthology of over one hundred poems by well-known poets (such as Martin Espada, Naomi Shihab Nye, Gregory Orr, Marilyn Nelson, Wesley McNair, Brendan Galvin, Julia Alverez, Natasha Tretheway, and Kevin Young) as well as emerging poets and those never before published about firsthand experiences of poverty.

While the poets hail from diverse locations, cultures, and ethnicities, their work shares common elements of vivid detail, determination of spirit (either quiet or passionate), and compelling artistry.

FACES

Michael Glaser

"God is resident in all faces."—Abraham Joshua Heschel

God challenges our faith
with the face of poverty,

brings us to the altar
of our own emptiness

and asks us if we have the courage
to look at this

and bear witness.

Susan Deborah King is the author of five poetry collections including Coven, One-Breasted Woman, Bog Orchards, and Dropping into the Flower. Her poems have appeared in numerous publications including Tar Rivers Review, Prairie Schooner, and the Willow Review. She teaches creative writing and leads retreats on spirituality and creativity in Minneapolis and Maine.