A Liturgy for Stones

Wright's A Liturgy for Stones does not fit easily into poetic categories. Though they take up biblical texts and themes, the poems are not especially devotional. Nor are the poems merely academic, though they demonstrate considerable poetic craft. Instead, these poems suggest fresh ways of poetically singing within and against the Christian tradition.

The title poem meditates on Jesus' warning that if his disciples stay quiet, “The very stones will cry out.” And the voices of these stones, joined with those of biblical characters, reluctant believers, and exultant skeptics suggest how poetry might still have a place in the life of the faithful if they dare to “Let untamed language fall on a thousand unsuspecting tongues.”