All Things Work Together

“Peter Keese has done it again in All Things Work Together! His blend of humor and deep seriousness, as well as the seeming contradiction of one who sincerely believes and one who seriously doubts, are fresh bread for the journey for this reader. In a similar fashion as his first two books, Peter is a master at wondering about the world and questioning standard assumptions about God, about religion, about love and war and death and flowers and grandchildren and so many other ordinary yet extraordinary experiences of life. As a clergy person and follower of Jesus myself, I so appreciate Peter’s unwillingness to accept easy answers while being so accomplished at asking difficult questions. He brings humor and lightheartedness to the most serious and intimate of issues as well as wonderful tenderness, especially when paying tribute to his beloved, Helen. There’s powerful, sometimes subtle (though usually as unsubtle as can be) political commentary—and his subjects range from Rumi to Bull Conner and Donald Trump, to Alexei Navalny, Robin Williams, Simone Biles, and, oh yes, Jesus. ‘We know that all things work together for good for those who love God’ (Rom 8:28), and so many good things are working together for those who read Peter Keese’s poetry with an open heart and mind. For they will find wisdom. Thank you, Peter, for sharing this wisdom, and thank you Mary Oliver and Emily Dickinson for opening Peter’s mind to the beauty and power of poetry.”
—George D. Young III, retired bishop, Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee