North of the Cities

Generally if you are in a bar holding a book of poetry, you catch odd glances, confused stares and the rare gasp of disbelief. That is not the case if you are in Duluth and carrying a copy of Louis Jenkins' new collection of 50 prose poems and a conversation with Garrison Keilor, North of the Cities ($15, Will o' the Wisp Books 2007).

It is the book equivalent of a cute puppy. Stangers will flock to ask you where you got it (here, of course)and will barely pause before recounting personal experiences with Mr. Jenkins and how he was one of the first poets that drew them into an adoration of poetry. So, like a puppy, but literary experiences in place of "ooooheshocutenowisnthe-whosagoodboy?!"

North of the Cities strengthens Jenkins' reputation as an important voice in the prose poem form and the art of understatement. Memory and the persistent need to identify our experiences drive many of the poems... not that Jenkins advocates falling into either of these traps. We take our "Big Brown Pills," contemplate what Art desires (to see a Twins game), and prepare for the black&white realities and hidden memories to strike. Jenkins aids our contemplation and preparation through crafted stories that remind us how very common, and delightful, the unexpected is in daily life.

A Memoir of a Radio Program

Speaking of Faith(Viking Press 2007, $23.95), written by Krista Tippett, creator & host of NPR's Speaking of Faith, has been marketed widely as a memoir. And it is. But it's not exactly Tippett's as much as it is a memoir of the meaningful conversations that she has had on the show. It is a memoir of the show, that she hosts, this time, through relating her travels and forays along the spiritual path.

Here is a quote that leads me to make the distinction:

"Listeners have asked Krista how she came to care about large questions of meaning, the dangers and promises of religion in human life, and how she sees the world differently through her radio conversations. This book is her response." (NPR site)

Tippett sets the tone early that this book is a continuation of her program rather than any inside-scoop of her life. She gives us spiritual themes as chapters and mentions straight away that the majority of the autobiographical information will be contained in Chapter 2, "Remembering Forward." Here, the autobiographical details help us to understand the conditions she encountered, a conservative Christian background and Grandfather, and several years in Germany during the Cold War, involved in study and politics. Certainly enough material for several books, Tippett truncates her experiences, references historical events and personalities and leaves us with a flurry of impressions. More details of her studies, turned towards theology, and her marriage come out, but they are almost always downplayed (she mentions a divorce and depression but does not dwell on the details).

What she does do, consistently and eloquently, is draw from her studies and the conversations she's had to create a chorus of voices that sing of compassion and struggle; community and meditation; and, perhaps most importantly, of empathy and the reservation of judgement.

"As the specter of the fundamentalist religious identity of Al Qaeda has come to overshadow international affairs and identities, Marty has this advice for policymakers and citizens that echoes everything I learn in my life of conversation: Don't lump the faithful and fundamentalists together in any tradion. Don't demonize any group of religious people as an enemy. There is great diversity whenever large numbers of human beings are involved. Do all that you can to help them show their varieties and make it easier for them to be diverse. Make it easier for moderates in all of these movements to be moderates. Marty helps me better understand an important side effect of the work I do" (Tippett 161-162).

Tippett melds the voices of those she has interviewed with those whom she has studied, to promote the open exchanges of beliefs. From Dietrich Bonhoeffer to Einstein, Karen Armstrong to Elie Wiesel and many, many others, Tippett juxtaposes their experiences - highlighting the similarities of diverse traditions without losing sight of their unique qualities.

Krista Tippett is a refreshing voice of humility in a market and topic often cluttered with bravado and sensationalism. She shows that one need not be provocative in order to provoke thought, reflection, and (hopefully) action.
This book is Tippett's response to her listener's questions. It is not full of intimate details and definitive conclusions. It is a furthering of the dialogues about faith. It is a reflection on experiences. It is a call for empathy. It exposes our human vulnerabilities and human strengths of spirit.

How much more intimate could one get?

So, if you're looking for direct answers or the gooey details, I'm afraid you'll have to keep looking. If you're interested in the multiplicity of voices negotiating the path of spirituality, Speaking of Faith is definitely worth a read.