This collection reads like a mesmerizing love song to the complex and sometimes unwieldy religion of Christianity. All the poems and essays in this outstanding anthology come from the esteemed Portland Magazine, a quarterly Christian-themed publication from the University of Portland. Magazine editor Doyle has assembled an especially talented and gutsy cast of contributors, including Terry Tempest Williams, Barry Lopez and Pattiann Rogers. In David James Duncan's courageous essay, "Gladly," he writes about getting caught playing "Hang on Sloopy" on the church piano when he was 12 years old. "This is God's House!" an elder bellowed as he threw Duncan out of the building. At the time, Duncan didn't believe in this enraged man's intolerant God. "I still don't," he writes, "though the man seemed to have cloned himself, bought several broadcasting networks and a political party and set out to turn all of America, Washington D.C., first, into a graven image of himself." Most essays draw upon everyday life to illuminate the spiritual breadth of Christianity. The late Andre Dubus illustrates how Catholic sacraments can be a metaphor for the sandwiches he lovingly makes for his daughters. Mary Gordon suggests "Six Prayers" for personality flaws, including "For the Wasteful": "O God in your benevolence look with kindness upon those who travel first class in high season… who hate leftovers and love room service and do not wait for sales." And poet Annie Callahan offers a heart-wrenching "Ambulance Prayer." This stellar and timeless collection is worthy of the highest praise. (Dec.)
