After Prayer

New Sonnets and Other Poems

By: Malcolm Guite

Narrated by: Malcolm Guite

This major new poetry collection from best-selling poet and priest Malcolm Guite features more than 70 new and previously unpublished works.

At the heart of this collection is a sequence of 27 sonnets written in response to George Herbert’s exquisite sonnet "Prayer", each one describing prayer in an arresting metaphor such as "the church's banquet", "reversed thunder", "the Milky Way", "the bird of paradise", and "something understood". In conversation with each of these, Malcolm’s sonnets offer profound insights into the nature of communion with God in all circumstances and conditions.

Recognizing that all poetry is a pursuit of prayer, After Prayer also includes 45 more widely ranging new poems, including a sonnet sequence on the seven heavens.

©2019 Malcolm Guite (P)2021 Canterbury Press Norwich

Depth

I feel touched by the deepness of the experiences he's describing in very beautiful ways.

Beautiful poems, lovely reading by the author

These poems are so beautiful. They are so deep and lovely, I feel that I need to read them many times to understand them fully. Guite’s voice is so calming and relaxing. The poet reading his own poetry is the best way.

Moving and Approachable

This is a poignant collection of poems, several of which moved me to tears--something that does not happen often. Through clear yet vivid imagery and thought, Malcolm beautifully expresses the pain of feeling God is absent, but rallies and checks his murmur with equally beautiful expressions of faith and trust. For both, I thank him.

The way he tied each of the core poems to Herbert's original was delightful and really unified them as they probed different aspects of prayer and feelings about it. The additional poems at the end, which are many, varied in tone and content, so there's something for everyone. His reading is also superb. I hope he reads more of his works.

Before even finishing this collection on Audible, I purchased a text copy of it and four of his other works. I am delighted to have found him.

Meditation with a pipe

This poetry goes great with a pipe! Sit back, listen and grab your favorite briar and pipe tobacco.