From Soil and Soul

About The Author

Jenny Bates, five poetry books, published in numerous NC and international journals. Presented at the 2023 Ecopoetics and Environmental Aesthetics Conference, London. Jenny was a judge for the Poetry in Plain Sight contest through Winston-Salem Writers, 2024. Her newest book of poems, ESSENTIAL, Redhawk Publications 2023 has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize 2024. Jenny's books are also available at Malaprops Bookstore in Asheville, NC and the Book Ferret, Winston-Salem, NC.

In Praise of the Author

From Soil and Soul: musings on the irredeemable spirit, invites us to join the poet on her journey- grounded in earth and aspiring for redemption; a communion with the divine through devotion to Mystery's manifestations in the natural world. In this work of ekphrastic poetry drawing inspiration from the 19th century artist, Gustave Doré's bible illustrations, Jenny dares to share her "irredeemable spirit"- a yearning for grace amidst despair where ancient texts inform a new and needed mythology. Jenny's poetry challenges the darkness with subtle word play and music, a quiet humor, the surprise of paradox and non-sequitur where the sensual and spiritual co-create the whole of the holy. And so this book of ancient stories told anew proves rich and rewarding. Indeed, enchanting. Jenny writes into being a world of passion and magic. Her poetry- a breath of prayer. Blessed be.

-Steve Braff, author of Forty Days (Cholla Needles Press), delights in reading, recording, writing, and teaching poetry