After the Project

Of the poems in The 55 Project, several of them appeared here for the very first time. Some of their poets are now including them in their new collections, including:




Reaching Forever
by Philip C. Kolin
2019 - (Poiema Poetry Series) Cascade Books

Full Worm Moon
by Julie L. Moore
2018 - (Poiema Poetry Series) Cascade Books

Getting To Gardisky Lake
by Paul J. Willis
2016 - Stephen F. Austin State University Press

Sea Glass: New & Selected Poems
by Luci Shaw
2016 - WordFarm

Where The Sky Opens
by Laurie Klein
2015 - (Poiema Poetry Series) Cascade Books

Small Rain
by Barbara Crooker
2014 - Purple Flag

Poems For Ephesians

One of the results of The 55 Project is the launch of a brand new project, which began in September of 2018. It consists of poems that leap out of the images, ideas and inspirations of the Book of Ephesians. Poems For Ephesians is found on the McMaster Divinity College website, or by clicking here: Poems For Ephesians.

If you would like to contribute a poem, contact D.S. Martin, MDC’s Poet-in-Residence (martid17@mcmaster.ca).

Adam, Eve, & the Riders of the Apocalypse

Here is a new writing challenge! Write a poem (or many poems) in the voice of a Biblical character, addressed to a Biblical character, or about a Biblical character. This time the results won't appear as a blog, but as a book in the Poiema Poetry Series. You will find the CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS below:

Project Complete

A new poem has been posted every week on the 55 Project blog, from April through to December 2014. At the end of that stretch, I decided the project was complete. Perhaps The 55 Project will inspire the beginning of something new. I would like to thank all of the poets who have contributed.

D.S. Martin

Poem 033from Paradise Lost

(V, 822-824, and 836-848)

Shalt thou give law to God, shalt thou dispute
With him the points of liberty, who made
Thee what thou art, and formed the pow'rs of heav'n...
As by his Word the mighty Father made
All things, ev'n thee, and all the Spirits of heav'n
By him created in their bright degrees,
Crowned them with glory, and to their glory named
Thrones, Dominions, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers,
Essential Powers, nor by his reign obscured,
But more illustrious made, since he the head
One of our numbers thus reduced becomes,
His laws our laws, all honour to him done
Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage,
And tempt not these; but hasten to appease
Th' incensèd Father and th' incensèd Son,
While pardon may be found in time besought.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

John Milton of London, England is best known for his great epic Paradise Lost (1667). Visit Kingdom Poets to find out more.The selection above is in the voice of a Seraph named Abdiel, who is rebuking Lucifer for his "impious rage". The final line quoted reflects Isaiah 55:6.