Earthen Vessels: A Family Memoir in Poetry

J. Stephen Rhodes explores life on the edges-between security and fear, guilt and grace, city and country, prosperity and scarcity. His poems, featured in over seventy journals, are complemented by four published collections. Of his work, he says, "I want to write honestly about our brokenness, yet still search for beauty and offer hope to those overwhelmed by modern life." Rhodes holds a Ph.D. in Theological Studies (Emory), an M.Div. (Columbia Theological Seminary), a B.A. (Eckerd College), and an M.F.A. in creative writing (University of Southern Maine - Stonecoast). He currently serves as Canon Poet at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in Charleston, SC.

"Turn these pages and hear the distinct click of a camera, as prose and poems blend into richly detailed snapshots of a

poet's earliest formative years."

-Suzanne Strempek Shea, author of Sundays in America

"Earthen Vessels convinces me that poetry is the native tongue of memoir. Each poem in this very intimate collection is in itself a finished capsule of memory brightened by insight and image ..."

-Albert Keller, Professor Emeritus, The Medical University of South Carolina

"Taking the time it takes, through Al-Anon and therapy, with Jesus and the maturing craft of his poetic gifts, the poet gives

us a love all-in-spite-of-all memoir."

-The Right Rev. Brian Lee Cole, 5th Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

"In the haunting yet uplifting poems of Earthen Vessels, Steve Rhodes conveys the blessings and challenges of growing up in a family full of strong convictions as well as painful contradictions... His writing invites us to remember, understand, and forgive our parents, siblings, and not least of all, ourselves."

-Caroline Gooden, Ph. D., Educational Psychologist

Author: J. Stephen Rhodes
Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Pine Row Press
Published: 09/01/2025
Pages: 104
Weight: 0.33lbs
Size: 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.25d
ISBN: 9781963110166