Promises to Keep

(Wayfarer Books, 2026)

A narrative in poems.

It’s an old story:

a church-going family man receives a violent call to become a prophet. He’s read the source material, knows how this has ended for others. But without a means of running away, he reluctantly accepts a vocation he rightly fears will result in tragedy for his family. While receiving dreams and visions, delivering sermons and prayers, frequenting political protests and police stations, being placed in handcuffs and straitjackets, the prophet attempts to speak truth to power and make it home whole, if there is a home left to return to.

Promises to Keep explores the fear and trembling and doubt required to have faith in ourselves, each other, and whatever forces may be guiding our steps. It demands we consider what we devote our lives to, what we say we love, and whether the cost of such devotion is worth it.

Sample Poems

• the prophet reads Asher Lev

• the prophet’s wife confesses to her son

• the prophet calls his wife from prison after attempting to light a small satchel of kerosene-soaked money on fire and stuff it down the pants of a televangelist at a book signing

• the prophet speaks against Rilke (previously published in Dappled Things)

• YHWH reveals His heart (previously published in The Windhover)

Promises to Keep arrives on April 6, 2026.
First Edition Trade Paperback / 6 x 9 / 110pp