An Online Conversation with Jeffrey Overstreet

by | Sep 21, 2026 | Uncategorized

Version 1.0.0 On Saturday, October 24 from 1 to 2:30 pm EDT, I will join Jeffrey Overstreet in a live conversation on our recent books, the lifelong necessity of paying attention, and the challenges inherent in the spiritual and writing life. The program is hosted by...

Against (bad) theory

by | Aug 22, 2022 | Theory, Uncategorized

I don’t like literary theorists that take their thoughts more seriously than the integrity of the work under examination. Making a text dance to whatever tune you impose belongs among the Forbidden Curses. I remember some time ago telling Robert Coles I was...

A Poem by Scott Cairns

by | Aug 6, 2021 | poetry, Uncategorized

A poem for the Feast of the Transfiguration As We See “The transfiguration of our Lord, that is the radiancein which he was bathed at the pinnacle of Mount Tabordid not manifest a change in him, but a changein those who saw him.”-Isaac the Least Suppose the Holy One...

Where your treasure is…

by | Jun 30, 2021 | Uncategorized

It’s been more than fifty years since der Kniefall von Warschau, Willy Brandt’s spontaneous embodiment of German remorse and responsibility for the annihilation of Poland’s Jews. When asked after the event why he knelt, he said, “Unter der Last der jüngsten...

A World Transfigured

by | Aug 6, 2020 | Uncategorized

A fragment of an unpublished poem on the Solemnity of the Transfiguration: Wholly Mystery, whom I dare approach,and in nearing nearly apprehendnot you so much as the gulf between,suffer these, my poor petitions,my tepid desires, as a motherabides her child’s tedious...