"Scott Cairns collected his poems in a new book entitled
Slow Pilgrim, which recollects his pilgrimage as a Christian in many of the poems. Published by Paraclete Press, who kindly sent me a copy to review, the book brings theology and poetry together as often done by poets of the past. In this case, the pilgrimage comes through an embrace of the Orthodox church and apophatic theology, which helps us to know God, not by comparisons or figurative language but by showing us Who and What God is not. However, the poems also connect us to everyday events with a realism lacking in typical 'religious verse.' As the Introduction tells us, these 'poems address us in our quotidian experience of life: they are best experienced in an armchair, not in church.'
For example, 'Archaeology: A Subsequent Lecture, ' recalls:
'...the pleasure lies
in fingering loose ends toward likely shape,
actually making something of these bits
of persons, places, things one finds once one
commences late interrogation
of undervalued, overlooked terrain -
what we in the business like to call the dig.'
In addition to digging through our collective or individual past, these poems give us a new take on familiar Bible stories and intimate relationships. The more we read them, the more we begin to glimpse God drawn in the negative spaces of our lives and these highly recommended poems.
--Mary Harwell Sayler,
Poetry Editor & Poetry
"Allowing yourself to be taken along with Cairns in these poems written across four decades is not an endeavor to be undertaken lightly. Cairns is no safe Christian thinker, dispensing tidbits of wisdom and truth to those poor oafs among us who still find faith and life is difficult. He writes the truth as best he can articulate it (as good as all poets do)...Cairns is well versed in Christian theology, and his poetry will be a joy to those of us who are afflicted with the condition of being theologians. His poems are replete with illusions and inspirations from Greek saints, Christian doctrines and Scripture. The series of poems 'Adventures in New Testament Greek' is a particular delight. In it, Cairns takes a single word and contemplates it in such a way that it unlocks, allowing the fullness of the gospel to shine through it. David Bentley Hart once wrote that 'God is no more likely (and probably a good deal less likely) to be found in theology than in poetry or fiction.' This collection stands as a confirmation of this observation. The God who gives life, who is the end and aim of all beauty and good, can be seen poking his wry smile through these pages. This book is a gift, a companion and a joy. Cairns has managed to bequeath to us a collection of poems so alive with Christian truth, and so unreservedly human, that we can do little else but receive it with gratitude and squeak out a meager 'thank you'."
--Stephen Lawson,
Englewood Review of Books
Slow Pilgrim: The Collected Poems (Paraclete Poetry)
Paperback
|English
|1612616577
|
9781612616575
Slow Pilgrim: The Collected Poems (Paraclete Poetry)
Paperback
|English
|1612616577
|
9781612616575
Overview
Scott Cairns has carefully preserved every poem he’s ever published that he cares to preserve. He’s also added previously unpublished work, spanning three decades. A careful introduction by Gregory Wolfe and tribute preface by Richard Howard make this the ultimate collection of Cairns’ work.ISBN: 1612616577
ISBN13: 9781612616575
Author: Scott Cairns
Publisher: Paraclete Press
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2015-07-01
Language: English
PageCount: 320
Dimensions: 6.0 x 1.0 x 9.0
inches
Weight:
17.92 ounces
Description
Scott Cairns has carefully preserved every poem he’s ever published that he cares to preserve. He’s also added previously unpublished work, spanning three decades. A careful introduction by Gregory Wolfe and tribute preface by Richard Howard make this the ultimate collection of Cairns’ work.
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Scott Cairns was born in Tacoma, Washington. He earned a BA from Western Washington University, an MA from Hollins College, an MFA from Bowling Green State University, and a PhD from the University of Utah.
Cairns is the author of eight books of poetry, including
The Theology of Doubt (1985),
The Translation of Babel (1990),
Philokalia (2002),
Idiot Psalms (2014), and
Slow Pilgrim: The Collected Poems (2015)
. His writing has appeared in
The Atlantic, The Paris Review, The New Republic, Poetry, and elsewhere, and has been anthologized in
Best Spiritual Writing and
Best American Spiritual Writing. Besides writing poetry, Cairns has also written a spiritual memoir,
Short Trip to the Edge (2007), and the libretto for the oratorios "The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp" and "A Melancholy Beauty." Spirituality plays an integral role in Cairns' writing; in an interview, he said, "I've come to think of beauty as how God woos us to himself. One doesn't so much create it or illuminate it as partake of it. Thereafter, one participates, collaborates, in its endless development."
Cairns has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and was awarded the Denise Levertov Award in 2014. He has taught at numerous universities including University of North Texas, Old Dominion University, Seattle Pacific University, and the University of Missouri. Cairns is the founding director of Writing Workshops in Greece, a program that brings writers to study and engage with literary life in modern Greece.
Gregory Wolfe founded Image journal, and is now the editor of Slant Books.
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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Overview
Scott Cairns has carefully preserved every poem he’s ever published that he cares to preserve. He’s also added previously unpublished work, spanning three decades. A careful introduction by Gregory Wolfe and tribute preface by Richard Howard make this the ultimate collection of Cairns’ work.ISBN: 1612616577
ISBN13: 9781612616575
Author: Scott Cairns
Publisher: Paraclete Press
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2015-07-01
Language: English
PageCount: 320
Dimensions: 6.0 x 1.0 x 9.0
inches
Weight:
17.92 ounces
Description
Scott Cairns has carefully preserved every poem he’s ever published that he cares to preserve. He’s also added previously unpublished work, spanning three decades. A careful introduction by Gregory Wolfe and tribute preface by Richard Howard make this the ultimate collection of Cairns’ work.
Editorial Reviews
"Scott Cairns collected his poems in a new book entitled
Slow Pilgrim, which recollects his pilgrimage as a Christian in many of the poems. Published by Paraclete Press, who kindly sent me a copy to review, the book brings theology and poetry together as often done by poets of the past. In this case, the pilgrimage comes through an embrace of the Orthodox church and apophatic theology, which helps us to know God, not by comparisons or figurative language but by showing us Who and What God is not. However, the poems also connect us to everyday events with a realism lacking in typical 'religious verse.' As the Introduction tells us, these 'poems address us in our quotidian experience of life: they are best experienced in an armchair, not in church.'
For example, 'Archaeology: A Subsequent Lecture, ' recalls:
'...the pleasure lies
in fingering loose ends toward likely shape,
actually making something of these bits
of persons, places, things one finds once one
commences late interrogation
of undervalued, overlooked terrain -
what we in the business like to call the dig.'
In addition to digging through our collective or individual past, these poems give us a new take on familiar Bible stories and intimate relationships. The more we read them, the more we begin to glimpse God drawn in the negative spaces of our lives and these highly recommended poems. --Mary Harwell Sayler, Poetry Editor & Poetry "Allowing yourself to be taken along with Cairns in these poems written across four decades is not an endeavor to be undertaken lightly. Cairns is no safe Christian thinker, dispensing tidbits of wisdom and truth to those poor oafs among us who still find faith and life is difficult. He writes the truth as best he can articulate it (as good as all poets do)...Cairns is well versed in Christian theology, and his poetry will be a joy to those of us who are afflicted with the condition of being theologians. His poems are replete with illusions and inspirations from Greek saints, Christian doctrines and Scripture. The series of poems 'Adventures in New Testament Greek' is a particular delight. In it, Cairns takes a single word and contemplates it in such a way that it unlocks, allowing the fullness of the gospel to shine through it. David Bentley Hart once wrote that 'God is no more likely (and probably a good deal less likely) to be found in theology than in poetry or fiction.' This collection stands as a confirmation of this observation. The God who gives life, who is the end and aim of all beauty and good, can be seen poking his wry smile through these pages. This book is a gift, a companion and a joy. Cairns has managed to bequeath to us a collection of poems so alive with Christian truth, and so unreservedly human, that we can do little else but receive it with gratitude and squeak out a meager 'thank you'." --Stephen Lawson, Englewood Review of Books
For example, 'Archaeology: A Subsequent Lecture, ' recalls:
'...the pleasure lies
in fingering loose ends toward likely shape,
actually making something of these bits
of persons, places, things one finds once one
commences late interrogation
of undervalued, overlooked terrain -
what we in the business like to call the dig.'
In addition to digging through our collective or individual past, these poems give us a new take on familiar Bible stories and intimate relationships. The more we read them, the more we begin to glimpse God drawn in the negative spaces of our lives and these highly recommended poems. --Mary Harwell Sayler, Poetry Editor & Poetry "Allowing yourself to be taken along with Cairns in these poems written across four decades is not an endeavor to be undertaken lightly. Cairns is no safe Christian thinker, dispensing tidbits of wisdom and truth to those poor oafs among us who still find faith and life is difficult. He writes the truth as best he can articulate it (as good as all poets do)...Cairns is well versed in Christian theology, and his poetry will be a joy to those of us who are afflicted with the condition of being theologians. His poems are replete with illusions and inspirations from Greek saints, Christian doctrines and Scripture. The series of poems 'Adventures in New Testament Greek' is a particular delight. In it, Cairns takes a single word and contemplates it in such a way that it unlocks, allowing the fullness of the gospel to shine through it. David Bentley Hart once wrote that 'God is no more likely (and probably a good deal less likely) to be found in theology than in poetry or fiction.' This collection stands as a confirmation of this observation. The God who gives life, who is the end and aim of all beauty and good, can be seen poking his wry smile through these pages. This book is a gift, a companion and a joy. Cairns has managed to bequeath to us a collection of poems so alive with Christian truth, and so unreservedly human, that we can do little else but receive it with gratitude and squeak out a meager 'thank you'." --Stephen Lawson, Englewood Review of Books
About the Author
Scott Cairns was born in Tacoma, Washington. He earned a BA from Western Washington University, an MA from Hollins College, an MFA from Bowling Green State University, and a PhD from the University of Utah.
Cairns is the author of eight books of poetry, including
The Theology of Doubt (1985),
The Translation of Babel (1990),
Philokalia (2002),
Idiot Psalms (2014), and
Slow Pilgrim: The Collected Poems (2015)
. His writing has appeared in
The Atlantic, The Paris Review, The New Republic, Poetry, and elsewhere, and has been anthologized in
Best Spiritual Writing and
Best American Spiritual Writing. Besides writing poetry, Cairns has also written a spiritual memoir,
Short Trip to the Edge (2007), and the libretto for the oratorios "The Martyrdom of Saint Polycarp" and "A Melancholy Beauty." Spirituality plays an integral role in Cairns' writing; in an interview, he said, "I've come to think of beauty as how God woos us to himself. One doesn't so much create it or illuminate it as partake of it. Thereafter, one participates, collaborates, in its endless development."
Cairns has received fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities, and was awarded the Denise Levertov Award in 2014. He has taught at numerous universities including University of North Texas, Old Dominion University, Seattle Pacific University, and the University of Missouri. Cairns is the founding director of Writing Workshops in Greece, a program that brings writers to study and engage with literary life in modern Greece.
Gregory Wolfe founded Image journal, and is now the editor of Slant Books.
Condition Guidelines
Books - New and Used
The following guidelines apply to books:
- New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
- Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
- Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.
Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.
Shipping & Delivery
Shipping Fees
- Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
- Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
- No additional fees and charges.
Delivery Times
The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.
Estimated delivery times:
- Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
- Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days
Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.
Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times.
Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.).
If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.
Returns & Refunds
You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.
Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.
Additional non-returnable items:
- Gift cards
- Downloadable software products
- Some health and personal care items
To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)
- Book with obvious signs of use
- CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
- Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
- Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery
Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.
Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.
If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:
- Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
- Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
- Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.
You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).
If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.
Shipping Cost
We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.
Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.
If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.
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