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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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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

Montreal and Quebec, you've refreshed me with your beauty and wonder. Montreal, I loved your neighborhood "lampiste," your cityscapes from the top of Mount Royal, your delicious (though indulgent!) poutine, the striking sapphire altar in your Notre Dame Cathedral, the whimsy of your Cirque du Soleil circus, and your city's expansive botanical gardens. Quebec, your Abbaye de Saint-Benoit-du-Lac Benedictine monastery, along with your Gregorian chant Sunday morning service, helped to settle me into peaceful harbor. And your stunning homemade cheeses (named after saints!) were a gift for my tongue. Mansonville, you offered true village charm with your public park, along with its pavilion and brightly-painted piano. I'm grateful that passerby could regale me with some of their favorite piano songs of all genres, as I quietly enjoyed a glider in your park. I recently returned from a wonderful vacation in Montreal and Vermont. The weather was 80 degrees F and sunny most days, and I loved the balance of ease and accessibility from my home (about a 10-hour drive—not too bad!), versus beauty and distinction of place. One of the highlights from the trip was trying my first creemee, a maple-flavored ice cream (topped with maple syrup, and even maple sprinkles!). In my opinion, creemees are one of the best things to come out of Vermont, and that’s saying something for a state that can boast ample farm-to-table restaurants, the Green Mountains, and Lake Champlain! Vacation was a precious time to rest, reset, and re-see God’s goodness with new eyes. Creemees certainly helped with those goals. Thank you to Abditory Literary Journal for publishing my poem "After I Close a Beloved Book" last month! Oh, hello, lotus! Check out my new cento poem “A Lullaby Patchwork Quilt” (link in bio) in the inaugural issue of Abditory Literary Magazine. I’ve also included an explanation of the cento form, and contemporary examples (including examples from @maggiesmithpoet, whose “Ohio Centos” are excellent!). If “A Lullaby Patchwork Quilt” sounds familiar, there’s a reason why! ;). I’d love to hear what you think. #poetry #poetrycommunity #cento #poetsofig #poetsofinstagram #poetrylovers #lullaby #poetlife The headlines lately have been hard. Yet I'm grateful to gather around prophets, poets, and kindred spirits who are seeking Christ in response. Channeled my rage into a poem. Content warning: language that alludes to sexual violence. At the risk of centering my cis-gendered, straight self, I want to share a bit of my own conversion experience regarding LGBTQ rights. I hope my story may help others who have questions and doubts. Occupational hazard of being a poet: decreased tolerance for bad, sappy, and/or manipulative greeting cards. At least this one is a little more self-aware. I spent more time than expected this week in the greeting card aisle trying to find some well-written, thoughtful, and honest missives for some upcoming birthdays and Father’s Day. The struggle is real, y’all!
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© Melanie Weldon-Soiset, 2022. 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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