The Fall Collection: TO THE MOUNTAINS
MASTHEAD
Sarah Steele, senior editor
Ashley Whittemore, editor
Kimberly Kralovic, editor
Heather Lobe Johnson, editor
Kimberly Phinney, editor-in-chief
Listen to the poets of The Way Back to Ourselves Literary Journal perform their work with our podcast, The Poetry Corner, a spin-off from The Way Back Podcast, hosted by Edward Holmes and Deidre Braley.
To the Mountains: A Letter from the Editor
Start here, with founder and editor-in-chief Kimberly Phinney, as she welcomes all TO THE MOUNTAINS with her letter to you and The Way Back to Ourselves Community.
Storytellers Poetry Contest Winner: When Water Climbed a Mountain (1st Place)
As our first-place winner of the Storytellers Poetry Contest, Jessie Flowers shares “When Water Climbed a Mountain.” This piece was written in honor of the victims of Hurricane Helene and helps us find our own sense of resilience and community in the face of suffering.
Storytellers Poetry Contest Winner: Behold! He Who Was, Long Before Us (2nd Place)
Journey around the world and throughout time with poet Jessica Jolley in “Behold! He Who Was, Long Before Us.”
Storytellers Poetry Contest Winner: As Pilgrims (3rd Place)
In her poem, “As Pilgrims,” Kristine Amundrud embarks on a profound spiritual journey following her grief.
Storytellers Poetry Contest Winner: Dear Lord, Only You: A Prayer of Surrender (3rd Place)
In her poem, “Dear Lord, Only You: A Prayer of Surrender,” Deborah Rutherford shares her journey from bitterness to faithfulness and grace.
BOOK YOUR CALENDARS: The Cultivate Retreat is coming to Greenville, SC, June 19-21, 2026.
The Way Back to Ourselves is proud to announce that CULTIVATE 2026 is back in person and is coming to Greenville, South Carolina, June 19-21. Come learn all about it and grab your early bird ticket now. Seats are limited.
Coffee at the Campsite
Sit around a morning campfire and take in the surroundings with Edward Holmes as your guide in “Coffee at the Campsite.”
Here in the Land of the Living
In her essay “Here in the Land of the Living,” Caitlin Lore takes us from the mountaintop to the valley, doing the difficult work of trusting God through it all.
Three Mountains
Journey with Noah Bartley to significant mountains in the Bible in his poem “Three Mountains.”
Lowly, at the Panorama and Other Poems
In her poems, “Lowly, at the Panorama,” “How to Conquer a Mountain,” and “Squinting through Cumulonimbus,” Courtney Moody discovers awe in the mountains.
BOOKS FOR YOU from The Way Back Books and TWBTO Community
We are highlighting the poetry collections and books from many of our community members here at The Way Back to Ourselves, as well as our NEW offerings from The Way Back Books, our publishing imprint. This is a great opportunity to support an emerging poet and some of your favorite writers!
Peak Experience
A. A. Kostas inverts our perspective of the mountaintop experience, both in the deep, reflective content of his poem, “Peak Experience,” and in the poem’s unique form.
Soul Grows Quiet
Find the place where your “Soul Grows Quiet” in this meditative poem by Tanner Olson.
God of the Mountain, Lord of My Cave
In her poem “God of the Mountain, Lord of My Cave,” Kayleon Dortch-Elliott shares of the God who isn’t afraid to step into our shame or our hiding.
At the Edge of a Mountain Lake and Photography
Lauren Madsen’s poem “At the Edge of a Mountain Lake” invites us into a metaphorical moment of connection between mother and daughter. Her photos provoke wonder and draw the eye into the beauty of creation.
Eyes Up
With masterful attention to the form of the sonnet and the condition of humankind, Matthew White calls us to stand at the base of the mountain with him in “Eyes Up.”
The Mount of Olives
Jessica Hanke brings us to the foot of the cross in her moving poem, “The Mount of Olives.”
Waking Thoughts and Other Poems
In her poems “Waking Thoughts” and “Testament,” Chelsea Fraser reflects on glimpses of hope, knowing there’s more as magic and faith unfold.
Mount Zion
In Amy Hall’s poem, “Mount Zion,” she draws us to see parallels between Greek mythology, Christ’s journey to Golgotha, our own pilgrimages, and the eventual hope we find in Christ’s future return.
You Met Me in the Blue Mountains
Andy Beth Miller invites us on her healing journey through the sacred spaces of nature, silence, and renewed faith in her essay, “You Met Me in the Blue Mountains.”
Start your journey.
It starts today— in the small steps you take, the hands you hold, the prayers you say, the art you make, and the hard things you conquer… The way back isn’t as far as you think.
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