One of the Loaves Was Yours

“I have known John Brugaletta for many years, and his unique ways of seeing the world and human experience regularly amaze and delight me. This is especially the case in this collection of poems touching on religious life and experience. Dr. Brugaletta’s way with words and his mastery of poetry regularly prompt me to acknowledge blessings around me that I often take for granted. His poetry also has a singular facility for bringing hidden vices to the surface in ways that cause me to ask for forgiveness and for God’s sanctifying power to better love God and those around me.”


—Edward Curtis, Professor Emeritus of Old Testament and Biblical Studies, Biola University and Talbot School of Theology





“The poems in John Brugaletta’s latest offering bring words such as ‘brilliant,’ ‘delicious,’ ‘ingenious,’ ‘sly,’ and ‘poignant’ to mind. You can come to One of the Loaves Was Yours for its insight into the history of the human heart and stay for the poet’s mastery of language and idiom, or you can come from the poet’s command of form and versification and stay for the way rich and complex theological truths are distilled to clarity and simplicity. Either way, prepare to put your feet up and meditate awhile.”


—Patricia L. Hamilton, Winner of the 2015 and 2017 Rash Award in Poetry and author of The Distance to Nightfall





“From reimagining the faith and perspective of such diverse biblical characters as St. Paul, Eve, and Simon the magician (Acts 8), to giving faith expression and interpretation, to what he experiences in his garden, John Brugaletta demonstrates a vulnerability that invites readers into a deeper exploration of their own experience of God. . . . With imagination, self-reflection, and honesty, John Brugaletta puts to verse faith’s varied journey of mountain tops and valleys, sunlight and shadow. Brugaletta pens for us a faith that is inclusive of doubts and joys, laughter and tears, confidence and struggle.”


—Brian J. Claasen, Lutheran pastor (retired)