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Sacred Space
“Sacred Space is a thoughtful collection of sonnets and poems celebrating language, nature, literature, and art. The authors, Matthew Huff and Justin Wiggins, invite readers to share their visions of the places and writers that have nurtured them. Both have been richly inspired by the works of John Donne, J.R.R Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Flannery O’Connor, Seamus Heaney, and
others.”
-Dr. Don King, C.S.Lewis scholar and Author of Inkling, Historian, Soldier, & Brother: A Life of Warren Hamilton Lewis
These sixty poems by Matthew Huff and Justin Wiggins inspired by doubt and faith, the power of myth, the agape love of Christ, writers Seamus Heaney, Malcolm Guite, T.S. Eliot, Dante, John Donne, Madeleine L'Engle, C. S. Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkien, Frederick Buechner, Flannery O' Connor, Levi The Poet, Jon Foreman, and other writers, allow the reader to slow down and reflect on what it means to be human in the context of grace in our fractured manic postmodern world. These poems will help readers to find their own sacred space in the chaos of life, and will also inspire, encourage, and give spiritual nourishment.
others.”
-Dr. Don King, C.S.Lewis scholar and Author of Inkling, Historian, Soldier, & Brother: A Life of Warren Hamilton Lewis
These sixty poems by Matthew Huff and Justin Wiggins inspired by doubt and faith, the power of myth, the agape love of Christ, writers Seamus Heaney, Malcolm Guite, T.S. Eliot, Dante, John Donne, Madeleine L'Engle, C. S. Lewis, J.R.R.Tolkien, Frederick Buechner, Flannery O' Connor, Levi The Poet, Jon Foreman, and other writers, allow the reader to slow down and reflect on what it means to be human in the context of grace in our fractured manic postmodern world. These poems will help readers to find their own sacred space in the chaos of life, and will also inspire, encourage, and give spiritual nourishment.
77 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2024
About the author
Justin Wiggins
26 books192 followersJustin Wiggins is an author who works and lives in the primitive, majestic, beautiful mountains of North Carolina. He graduated with his Bachelor's in English Literature, with a focus on C.S. Lewis studies, from Montreat College in May 2018. His first book was Surprised by Agape, published by Grant Hudson of Clarendon House Publications. His second book, Surprised By Myth, was co-written with Grant Hudson and published in 2021. His most recent books, Marty & Irene, Tír na nÓg, Celtic Twilight, Celtic Song, Ragnarok, Celtic Dawn, Sacred Space, co-written with Matthew Huff, and Avalon, were all published by Steve Cawte of Impspired. Artists, Myth & Hope was also published by Clarendon House Publications in 2024.
Wiggins has also had poems and other short pieces published by Clarendon House Publications, Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, and Sweetycat Press. Justin has a great zeal for life, work, community, writing, literature, art, pubs, bookstores, coffee shops, and for England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Wiggins has also had poems and other short pieces published by Clarendon House Publications, Sehnsucht: The C.S. Lewis Journal, and Sweetycat Press. Justin has a great zeal for life, work, community, writing, literature, art, pubs, bookstores, coffee shops, and for England, Scotland, and Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 16, 2024
This is a rich and wonderful collection of short poems and sonnets, authored by two very talented young men, both steeped in the timeless traditions and thought of C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, T. S. Eliot, and others who have written so movingly and memorably about what Russell Kirk called "the Permanent Things". Justin and Matthew would be equally at home at Oxford or the Shire, and they both have the wonderful privilege of counting Malcolm Guite as a friend and colleague.
In the first half, Justin Wiggins has penned eloquent odes to a number of literary figures, and to some beloved places and traditions. In all his writings one feels a contagious love for the power of literature and the arts -- keen personal reflections which are heartfelt and genuine.
The poems in the second half, authored by Matthew Huff, are all sonnets, following the forms, meters and rhymes of this type of poetry that Shakespeare so loved to write. Matthew powerfully wraps these garlands of words around his personal experiences drawn from life, family, literature, cinema and Scripture. I find these accounts especially moving since (full disclosure) I am his Dad.
You will find yourself returning often to this short, but powerful volume; also, both of the authors have other books available, all of which I would highly recommend!
In the first half, Justin Wiggins has penned eloquent odes to a number of literary figures, and to some beloved places and traditions. In all his writings one feels a contagious love for the power of literature and the arts -- keen personal reflections which are heartfelt and genuine.
The poems in the second half, authored by Matthew Huff, are all sonnets, following the forms, meters and rhymes of this type of poetry that Shakespeare so loved to write. Matthew powerfully wraps these garlands of words around his personal experiences drawn from life, family, literature, cinema and Scripture. I find these accounts especially moving since (full disclosure) I am his Dad.
You will find yourself returning often to this short, but powerful volume; also, both of the authors have other books available, all of which I would highly recommend!
January 16, 2024
"Sacred Space," a collaborative anthology by Justin Wiggins and Matthew Huff, delves into the realms of faith and doubt, the reflective landscapes of myth, the impact of literature in shaping our lives, and the existential nuances of the human condition. Influenced and inspired by literary figures like C.S. Lewis, John Donne, and J.R.R. Tolkien, their work reflects spiritual exploration, blending religious allegory with personal experiences and demonstrating our quest for understanding through the written word. The brevity of each poem offers a pause of contemplation amid life's commotion.
January 17, 2024
Sacred Space from Matthew Huff and Justin Wiggins reads like a conversation among good friends over dinner and coffee in a small pub or bookstore à la The Inklings. The writers welcome readers into their sacred space with coffee and tea and share their inspirations, doubts, fears, hopes, visions of a world beyond, and music.
There's plenty to chew on in this collection of poems, each of which representing one minute of the hour. We have beautiful odes, moments of sorrow, pictures of daily life, and visions of the world (that we all long to know) to come, God-willing. The pieces are conversational and capture the moments we strive to retain from good talks with friends and family over the years.
From homage to my favorite writers to that fleeting moment during a morning run before the sunrise, Sacred Space represents the beauty beyond beauty of a tiring, monotonous life. I encourage everyone to give this one a try and, as always, am looking forward to the next offering from Justin Wiggins and (now) Matthew Huff.
There's plenty to chew on in this collection of poems, each of which representing one minute of the hour. We have beautiful odes, moments of sorrow, pictures of daily life, and visions of the world (that we all long to know) to come, God-willing. The pieces are conversational and capture the moments we strive to retain from good talks with friends and family over the years.
From homage to my favorite writers to that fleeting moment during a morning run before the sunrise, Sacred Space represents the beauty beyond beauty of a tiring, monotonous life. I encourage everyone to give this one a try and, as always, am looking forward to the next offering from Justin Wiggins and (now) Matthew Huff.
January 15, 2024
This beautiful collection was a joy to read. In it, Justin and Matthew each share their spiritual journey through lovingly crafted and very personal poems. One of my favorites opens the collection. Written by Justin Sacred Space describes being at St. Mary, the Virgin Church, and hearing a sermon by Malcolm Guite. On that day, Malcolm spoke about agape love, ie. the spiritual love God has for humans, and the reciprocal love humans have toward God. In scripture, it is the highest form of love and it resonated profoundly with Justin. The location has become a sacred space for him and his lovely description of the experience sets the tone for the book; one about sacred spaces and how they are so near and dear to the two poets.
The poems are great. I especially liked Avalon. It reminded me to always appreciate the healing power of myth and legend, especially in this hectic and often times cynical day and age. Good stuff! Matthew’s first poem is entitled Home and is a beautifully written call to remember Eden and the ‘garden of our glory.’ A favorite of mine is Fire at Night which is a loving metaphor having to do with the beauty found in a dying fireplace fire and the joy found in the Faith that life is full of mystery and still meant to be enjoyed as one gets older.
The theme of this collection has to do with places Justin and Matthew have visited and people they’ve met along the way who have positively affected their spiritual journeys. The first half of the book contains Justin’s poems and the second half is Matthew’s. Both men are accomplished poets and have very accessible styles of writing. It’s a wonderful pilgrimage they are on. Many thanks to each of them for sharing it with us.
The poems are great. I especially liked Avalon. It reminded me to always appreciate the healing power of myth and legend, especially in this hectic and often times cynical day and age. Good stuff! Matthew’s first poem is entitled Home and is a beautifully written call to remember Eden and the ‘garden of our glory.’ A favorite of mine is Fire at Night which is a loving metaphor having to do with the beauty found in a dying fireplace fire and the joy found in the Faith that life is full of mystery and still meant to be enjoyed as one gets older.
The theme of this collection has to do with places Justin and Matthew have visited and people they’ve met along the way who have positively affected their spiritual journeys. The first half of the book contains Justin’s poems and the second half is Matthew’s. Both men are accomplished poets and have very accessible styles of writing. It’s a wonderful pilgrimage they are on. Many thanks to each of them for sharing it with us.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews