Reviewed by Dee Beggarly (St. John's Cathedral) in St. John's Cathedral Bookstore & Gift Shop newsletter. "When I was accepted by Drew Jackson to be on “Launch the Book” Team for God Speaks Though Wombs, I had no idea what gifts would surround me. No idea of the Peace and Unrest that would speak to me and encircle my heart. To find a similar poet or a comparative one, is pretty much impossible. Drew’s words and his format stand alone in their validity and reach. His brevity is the conduit to expansion of thoughts by giving birth to the recognition of LOGOS, the Word, in this very moment of Eternity. The thoughts I’m sharing about my encounter with God Speaks Through the Womb, are in the first person. This is a “first person” volume of poetry. It is authentic, loving, and astonishing. When I first read about Drew Jackson, a Featured Guest for the upcoming CONSPIRE Conference offered by Fr. Richard Rohr and the Center for Action and Contemplation, these are the introductory words: “Writing is one of Drew’s deepest connections to the Divine; centering into the silence of the moment, he invites his words to hold together contemplation, peace and justice.” Yes, these words are true; however, there is much, much more to Drew’s voice. These poems are as Drew says, “In conversation with Luke.” They further reveal the participation and actions of The Divine as present in this very moment within my mind, heart, and this world. Drew doesn’t spoon-feed. The challenges and compassion of his words are conduits for thinking, seeking, and identifying the authenticity of The Divine. Drew’s gift is an added source for the reading of the Gospel of Luke that is unparalleled. He draws me into the Divine; into 1st Century events; and into the existence and reality of this current moment. There is an energy, a “force” that draws me into these words. (Yes – the Divine Force actually is with me!) The mystery and surprise bring about a sense of exploration and searching. Drew’s poems are like compasses. One compass holds true to its direction. Another compass draws circles which intertwine my Life with others’ lives as well as the Presence of the Divine. This book will be available September 14. I’m already thinking about joining with others to link and intersect shared thoughts, feelings, revelations, and experiences. Drew’s titles fill my mind with possibilities, and I want to delve deeper. It is not lost on me that Womb is in his title. A birthplace. An expansion. A source of both pain and joy. Here are a couple of examples (used with Drew’s permission): IMMERSION. Pretty apparent, uh? Jesus’ Baptism, Luke 3:15-18. Wait! Here are the opening lines: “I come up out of the water, But I’m not done being immersed. Submerged into the burning, Plunged in the fire of the holy.” Drew reminds me that Baptism isn’t a one-time event – “not done being immersed.” Have I missed “the fire” part of Baptism with Luke??? As I began reading God Speaks Though Wombs, the poem titles fascinated me. I did not initially correlate many of the titles to the corresponding passages in Luke. Here are some titles. Where in Luke are these?! Shuckin’ and Jivin’, 4x100 (My Leg of the Race), Prove It, Fermented Lament, GOAT Status (Hint: NOT Tom Brady!), Never Make Yourself Small, The Waters of My Weeping, That Girl Can Sing, I Screen Calls, Who Can Forgive (for The Charleston 9 and Botham Jean), Say His Name. The seduction of this book causes me to already be thinking of a group “Introductory Session” where poem titles and Scripture passes are listed in 2 columns waiting to be matched. Think. Reflect. Read. Join. Reveal. Find the mystery. Solve the Puzzle. Listen to The Divine. Drew’s creativity spills over into my contemplation and releases a sense of Freedom to explore. Also released is a sense of Unity with all humanity and my responsibility for Justice. I can hardly wait for release of this diverse, immediate, historical, creative, truth-filled, and powerfully inspired work by Drew Jackson, a classically educated theologian and “a Black man who writes unapologetically as a Black man.” In addition to personal and group reflections, I strongly recommend it be added to resources for Sacred Ground. Read it. Listen. Respond."
