Hurricanes Roar : 30 Reflections on Black Spiritual Poetry

Hurricanes Roar gathers 30 poems shaped by the depth, resilience and prayerfulness of the Black Christian tradition, inviting readers into attentive, unhurried reflection. Spanning continents and centuries, the collection offers poetry as a space for listening: to faith tested and sustained, to hope spoken under pressure, and to praise carried through struggle. Drawing on Ancient Ethiopian verse, African American spirituals and gospel songs, alongside the words of poets such as Olaudah Equiano, Phillis Wheatley, Pauli Murray, Audre Lorde and Kei Miller, these poems open onto a rich spiritual landscape. Each voice speaks in its own register, yet together they trace enduring themes of longing, justice, lament and trust in God. Each poem is accompanied by a short reflective commentary, encouraging readers to linger, to pray with what they read, and to return to the poems over time. Whether used individually or shared in a group, Hurricanes Roar offers a thoughtful companion for Black History Month, Advent, Lent, or any season that calls for deeper attentiveness to poetry, faith and the ongoing work of justice.