Desolation and Epiphany

By James W. A.

In his sophomore title and first pure poetry collection, James W. A. explores the duality found in the journey of one's soul. Drawing from his own history, observations, and imagination, he conjures the misery of younger days, the peace of more mature ones, and the meaning

• Language: English
• Publisher: James W. A.
• Release date: Oct 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798218268763

James W. A.

James W. A. was born, raised, and lives in the Tampa Bay area in Florida. After graduating from the University of South Florida, St. Petersburg's Honors College, he published his first book, In the Library, in 2015. Since then, he has honed his ever-evolving, contemporary style, both creatively and as a professional content writer. While moving away from the dark subjects of younger days, James W. A. seeks to use his experiences, joys, sorrows, and wonders he sees in the world around him to lead others to truth and beauty and share meaningful stories to last the ages.

Book preview

Desolation and Epiphany by James W. A.

Desolation and Epiphany

By

James W. A.

Copyright © 2023 by James W. A.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or used in any manner without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

First Edition: October 2023

Cover illustration by Ashton Lay

ISBN 979-8-218-26875-6 (paperback)

ISBN 979-8-218-26876-3 (ebook)

thejameswa.com

To my sister Elizabeth,

though I believe your prayers made it possible,

I wish you could see the man I’ve become

and hope you will someday.

Desolation:

Darkness of soul, disturbance in it, movement to things low and earthly, the unquiet of different agitations and temptations, moving to want of confidence, without hope, without love, when one finds oneself all lazy, tepid, said, and as if separated from his Creator and Lord.—St. Ignatius of Loyola.

Epiphany:

Longing for God has its roots in the past, yet does not remain there: It reaches out to the future… We need to set out anew each day, in life as in faith, for faith is not a suit of armor that encases us; instead, it is a fascinating journey, a constant and restless movement, ever in search of God, always discerning our way forward.—Pope Francis.

Contents

Princes of a Soul’s State

I. Desolation

Me

The Right Time to Lie

Wandering in Sight of the Alleyway

Denial

Ill-usion

Rainy-Car Day

They’ll Drain You Slowly, Man

Will to Live

Defiant Pursuit

Patience, Grace, and the Ever-Dismissive Void

A Spectrum of Sensations

Synergy

Restless

Spotlight

We Have a Place in This World

Spirits’ Dream

Out of the Fray

Snowy Winter Ale

Mistletoe

The Tailor of St. Petersburg

Closure

Muscle Memory

Static Space

Becoming Who We Were

The Lure of the Weizenbock

Hoped Silly

Liquor Dreams and Forlorn Memories

The Food Chain is More of a Cycle

Life Goes On

Bored

The Search

Panic Attack

Killing Time

Advice

Profile

Don’t Think

The Mark of a Writer

Libido

Sadness helps me sleep

Fevered Scribblings

Sometimes a Sandwich is Just Bread, Meat, and Cheese

Swine Can at Least Be Eaten

Reinstitution

Cowardice

Apotheosis

Logophobia

Hotel in Sunrise, Florida

The Empty and the Dead

Beauty Routine

II. Epiphany

The Master’s Plan

Scents of the Divine

Cherry Rose Sencha

The World Inside Your Eyes

Arrival, 8:40 a.m.

Wish She Were Here

Still Field Under Scarlet Sky

Dream Feather

Sleep well

A Midnight Promise

Monday Lunchtime

An August Afternoon

Eye of the Holder

Blue Ballpoint Pen

Right Focus

Just an Observation

The World Through Stained Glasses

Icons and Idols

Discernment

Reintroduction

Smile

Manifest

Shower

Dawn

Stardust

Waiting for a Table

Sobering Up

A Certain Auto Dealership

Surprise Party

Always, Always

Simplicity in the Meaning of Life’s Deepest Art

A Toast to F#

A Bottle of Dr Pepper

Friend

Hi Tired

Philosophize

Lady Best

Hierophant Moon

Where the Violets Grew

Dial Tone

In the Oven

Purpose

III. Into the Future

Fog

Future Forward

Notes/References

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Princes of a Soul’s State

Welcome to a wondrous display of

beauty, vanity, humor, and sorrow,

a tragedy of squander and a comedy of enlightenment.

There will be two players on this stage,

two voices you will hear as your witness

the dreams they’ve had and will forever

in the pages of this book.

I will introduce you to them now:

The first we will call Desolation.

He is naive and arrogant,

like you yourself may have once been or,

Heaven forbid, still are.

He will share with you cries and musings

that were born from a heart that suffers

under the weight of its brokenness and nihilism;

His dreams are dark and not to be trusted,

but they are not always to be dismissed either.

Take care if you find yourself believing in his flaws,

for it may be a sign for you, reader,

to examine your own heart and life.

The second, we have named Epiphany.

He is young and wise,

for he has been reborn from a past’s Hell

by a miracle of grace.

He will share with you stories and observations

that were gleaned from a mind redeemed,

that