
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.

On Body Image and Other Poems
In her intimate poetry, dancer and poet Courtney Moody tackles body image, worthiness, and wholeness through artistic metaphors.

Of Mist, Mountain, and Shore
In his rugged poem “Of Mist, Mountain, and Shore,” Christopher James draws deep from nature to meditate on his connections to the earth and the life it gives him.

Tumnus
In her poem “Tumnus,” Henrietta DuCap describes a November day in the English rain and the magic that ensues.

Women’s Work
In the poem “Women’s Work,” Carson Cawthon explores a few of the ways women have always participated in gospel work.

Roots
In his psalm-like poem “Roots,” Joel Adcock explores the process of faith, suffering, and restoration through nature metaphors.

Autumn Longings and Other Poems
Author and poet Courtney Siebring writes about longing, identity, and renewal through the lens of wind, nature, and faith in her collection of poems.

Worth Restoring
In her essay “Worth Restoring,” Kristine Amundrud explores the tension between the sorrow of this life and the effort it takes to make all things new.

Remedy and Other Poems
Poet Ion Corcos explores themes of faith, nature, and awe in “Remedy” and his other poetry.

Reservoir, She
In her poem “Reservoir, She,” Laura McCullough speaks on finding a generations-old Cherokee woman’s tanning stone in a mountain creek.

A House for God and Other Poems
Poet Sheila Dougal articulates with beautiful imagery the union offered to us through Jesus’ sacrifice in her poem “A House for God.”

The Art of Becoming
In her poem “The Art of Becoming,” Kimberly Phinney celebrates coming home to yourself and God’s provisions through romantic verse and nature imagery.

One Spark
In his transcendental-inspired poem “One Spark,” Blake Ofstedal meditates on man’s place in nature and the heavens, as well as the devastating effects of modernity.

Birdsong and Eventide and Other Works
In her poetry and short story, Bethany Peck delves into the complexities of grief and longing with rich nature imagery and themes of faith and perseverance.

Consider the Seeds
Poet Bre Strobel reflects on nature’s quiet example of sowing seeds near and far as inspiration for us to take chances in her poem “Consider the Seeds.”

For Jim
Poet A.M. Everett calls us to pursue a higher purpose in her beautifully written piece “For Jim,” which is a loving ode to her husband.

Blood Relations
In her poem “Blood Relations,” Amber North boldly speaks about disappointment, hardship, and finding her true identity in Christ.

Joel 2:25
In her moving poem “Joel 2:25,” Heather Lobe Johnson beautifully portrays holding onto hope and faith amid suffering.

The Art of Teshuva: When Will You Return?
In his short essay “When Will You Return?” Matthew Nash explores the devastating sorrow of wrongful actions and the restoration found at the end of the difficult work of forgiveness.

Trail Sounds
In his captivating poem “Trail Sounds,” Ryan Diaz brilliantly describes nature, from the mountains to dripping water, ending with a glorious sunset.

Elegy for a Sycamore and Other Poems
In her moving poetry collection, urban monk Liv Ross portrays the beautiful imagery of everyday life, as well as the sacred, as she meditates on nature and faith.
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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