A Matter of Waiting

"Masterful, reflective poetry from a remarkable life. Hefner draws on faith and science--and most of all on his own fractured being. A help to all of us as we deal with deep issues in our own lives. I will read, reflect on, and savor these poems over and over again."

--Karl E. Peters, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy and Religion, Rollins College, and former editor of Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science



"Philip Hefner's poetry and theology embody a resilient grace and hope. His words carve the landscape of our bodyselves into beautiful and haunting thoughts and share with us his memories and dreams for the future. I have used his poetry in my theology and medicine class and recently a student said that Philip Hefner's poem, 'The Knitter,' was her all-time favorite poem. This is the best endorsement one could receive!"

--Ann Milliken Pederson, Professor of Religion, Director of Medical Humanities and Societies, Augustana University



"Phil Hefner is a psalmist for the twenty-first century, plumbing the self, seeking out the deep presence in the soul, and finding a balance to the betrayals of the body and the body politic in the discovery of grace. His power comes from a long life of having tuned an 'instrument all too mortal' to play 'the music beyond mortality.'"

--Athena Kildegaard, poet and teacher



"Informed by science, justice, and personal experience, A Matter of Waiting, by an acclaimed theologian, is brilliant poetry. After introductory poems of befitting gratitude to Gerard Manley Hopkins and homage to Wallace Stevens, Philip Hefner uses sprung rhythm and subtle rhyme to evoke the mysterious, the purposeful. By turns profound and profane, the book concludes ironically with the poem 'A Philosopher's Report.' Readers will want to keep this book close by for delight and persuasion."

--Mary Gerhart, Professor Emerita of Religious Studies, Hobart & William Smith Colleges



"This exquisite collection of poems witnesses to both a deep spirituality and also a profound appreciation for the human body and our embeddedness in the created world. The poems are intimate, beautiful, and accessible; you will find many that give voice to the cares of your own heart, and you will return to them again and again."

--Kristin Johnston Largen, Editor, Dialog: A Journal of Theology, and Professor of Systematic Theology, United Lutheran Seminary