
THE WAY BACK TO OURSELVES
Community Literary Journal
THE WAY BACK TO OURSELVES PRESENTS:
THE SPRING COLLECTION: IN HIS GARDEN
coming in April…
The Spring Collection: IN HIS GARDEN Print Journal Coming in May 2025
The Way Back to Ourselves is proud to present our FIRST print journal arriving in May 2025. Enjoy the free digital collection in this stunning keepsake for purchase on Amazon in paperback and hardcover from The Way Back Books, an imprint of TheWayBack2Ourselves.com.
Listen to the poets of The Way Back to Ourselves Literary Journal perform their work with our NEW podcast, The Poetry Corner, a spin-off from The Way Back Podcast, hosted by Edward Holmes and Deidre Braley.

Lines of Sight
Jenny Larks poem, “Lines of Sight,” meditates on the timeless theme of expectation versus reality when she goes to see a fixer-upper to buy. The experience is surprising.

Scattering My Scarecrows
In her essay “Scattering My Scarecrows,” Civil Winters explores how a Japanese wheat farmer changed her perspective on hope and second chances.

The Beauty Of
In her reflective poem “The Beauty Of,” Katie Drobina navigates the complexity of discovering Truth while in the throes of healing from trauma.

The Battlefield of Healing and Other Poems
In her touching poem “The Battlefield of Healing,” Sarah Steele reminds readers that healing is a lifelong work. In her poem “Happy Sad,” she explores the tension of experiencing moments of happiness while still deep in the throes of healing.

Ruins
In her moving poem “Ruins,” Rebecca Hardie encourages us to step out of the fog and catch a glimpse of God’s great kindness and love.

Tattered Gal of Dust and Others
In her moving works, Deborah Rutherford writes about beauty, redemption, and restoration through the lens of the changes of life we all face and a woman’s deep need to be whole and loved.

The Most
In her short yet powerful poem “The Most,” Mariana Mosli explores our universal need and Jesus’ response.

Chasing the Light
In her essay “Chasing the Light,” Sarah May makes a practice of looking for the light sprinkled throughout life’s darkest days.

That Love, That Beautiful Love
In his spoken word poem “That Love, That Beautiful Love,” Troy McLaughlin explores the sheer magnitude of God’s great Love for us.

New Dance of Life and Other Poems
In her trio of poems “New Dance of Life,” “Music to Christ’s Ears,” and “Carrying Through,” Alexis Ragan reflects of new life at this end of this life, the sounds of life that are sweet to Jesus, and what it means to persevere during hardship.

Slaughtering Lies and Other Stories
In her short story “Slaughtering Lies,” Awara Fernández describes how a discarded dog brought her hope in the face of her own suffering. In “Masquerading as Crows,” she explores the loss that comes with Alzheimer’s Disease and the future restoration found in God.

Restore Me Back to One
In her poem “Restore Me Back to One,” Ili Nicole Felix assesses her life and asks God to help restore her heart, just as a surgeon might do for his patient.

Waiting Room and Other Poems
In her poem “Waiting Room,” Chelsea Fraser paints a setting of her old life, waiting for restoration. In her other poems, she also explores themes of identity and motherhood.

Anxiety’s Lies
In her moving poem “Anxiety’s Lies,” Elizabeth Houseman reflects on a time in her youth when anxiety stole her hope and how she refuses to allow it to do the same in adulthood.

Autumn Snow and Other Poems
In her poetry “Autumn Snow” and “In the Garden at Night,” Deanna Mims revels in the seasons as nature reveals deeper spiritual meanings to her.

Sonnet 11, 12, and 13
In his sonnet sequence, “11,” “12,” and “13,” Elder Gideon touches on the heavens and the Spirit within.

As I Allow My Soul to Heal
In her moving poem “As I Allow My Soul to Heal,” Stephanie Daich releases hate and deception while uncovering the freedom of God’s love.

Trust and Other Poems
In her touching poetry, Donna Bucher reflects on key moments in her life when she learned to trust God despite living in darkness.

Prayer of the Overwhelmed
In her own psalm “Prayer of the Overwhelmed,” Pat Severin shares her heart of confusion and hopelessness while trusting the Lord.

Did Not Our Hearts Burn Within Us?
In his poem “Did Not Our Hearts Burn Within Us?” Michael Shoemaker speaks on hope and encouragement after darkness, opening to God’s light.
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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