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Melanie Weldon-Soiset

Melanie Weldon-Soiset

Connecting curious people with poetry and prayer so that we can find our true homes

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Category: Healing Words: Poetry and Trauma

“How to Do Nothing” [villanelle poem]

August 18, 2022February 24, 2023 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ Leave a comment

Check out my latest poem "How to Do Nothing," which is a villanelle. I also offer an explanation of how villanelles work, as well as famous examples of this dance-like poety form.

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How to Write War, Wounds, and Elegies: Seven More Questions for Pastor Poet Patrick Cabello Hansel

April 20, 2022April 21, 2022 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ 1 Comment

Point of view. Persona & speaker. Distance. All of these factors impact how to write war poetry. Pastor poet Patrick Cabello Hansel shares more, including how his own family ties to Ukraine have influenced his work.

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Walking with the Tender Awe of Poetry: A Hand of Blessing on Ashes

April 6, 2022May 2, 2023 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ 2 Comments

As guest contributor Darcy Wiley notes, "Poetry may not solve problems, but it often de-centers them, bending toward small creatures and hidden moments."

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Triptych for Cosmic Music [Advent pandemic poem]

December 24, 2021 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ Leave a comment

Check out this Advent pandemic poem, which is one of my attempts at putting the past two years into words.

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Place, Neurodiversity, and Creative Practice: Interviewing Poets Jon and Elisa Rowe

October 14, 2021October 15, 2021 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ Leave a comment

Place. Relationship. Faith. Neurodiversity. Creative practices. Advice for new poets--poetry couple Jon and Elisa Rowe explore all this, and more, in this interview :).

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How to Write War, Wounds, and Elegies: Seven Questions for Pastor Poet Patrick Cabello Hansel

July 8, 2021April 20, 2022 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ 1 Comment

How do we process unanswered questions and gaps in memory, especially regarding war and wounds? Pastor Poet Patrick Hansel gives us some clues in his new book Quitting Time.

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What This Year’s Black History Month Taught Me About Protest and Poetry

February 25, 2021July 6, 2021 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ Leave a comment

This year, I've celebrated Black History Month by learning from Black artists and poets, past present, and future. The more I learn, the more I want to learn.

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How Do We Protect and Include Our Bodies When We Memorize Poems?

January 13, 2021July 6, 2021 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ 4 Comments

Why memorize a poem? What do race, #ChurchToo, and embodiment have to do with poetry? I explore all of those questions, and more, in this hot-off-the-press book review.

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Poetry as Cure for Being Gaslit

October 29, 2020January 23, 2021 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ Leave a comment

Poems (and psalms) alone are not sufficient to address injustice. But they can be a first step in the right direction.

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When God Saves Our Lives Through Poetry: Interviewing Malaysian Poet Ezra Jalin

October 15, 2020February 23, 2023 ~ melanieweldonsoiset ~ 3 Comments

A discussion about the poetry scene in Malaysia, as well as poetry's role in activism, mental health, and faith.

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My name is Melanie, and I’ve worn many labels over the years: poet, pastor, teacher, student, immigrant, #ChurchToo survivor. I’ve learned, however, that the label that fits best is “child of God.” One day that phrase will be my epitaph. Until then, you’ll find me at my best resting in a hammock, biking on local DC green ways, or enjoying a fire by the hearth on a cold winter’s night.

Categories of Poetry Posts

#ChurchToo Abditory Literary Magazine abuse Advent advice for new poets Amethyst Review announcement art Bible blessing book review centering prayer Cloud of Unknowing commentary contemplative practice COVID ekphrastic poetry embodiment everyday pandemic life feedback groups guest post home interview journey kintsugi memoir National Poetry Month neurodiversity poem poetic process poetry feedback group poetry process poetry prompt prayer Quitting Time serendipity sermon sonnet trauma Trinity Trinity Sunday war World War II wounds writing prompt

© Melanie Weldon-Soiset, 2023. This web site is the online home for my creative endeavors. The content offered here does not necessarily reflect that of my church, and/or any other employment that I have. To quote excerpts online, please link back to my original article. For all other uses, please contact me. Thank you. 

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