A Touch of Flame by Jenny Robertson: A Reflective Review of Contemporary Christian Poetry

Summary

A Touch of Flame is a collection of over a hundred poems by contemporary Christian poets, compiled by Jenny Robertson, a poet, writer, children’s author, and playwright based in Edinburgh.

Introduction

In her introduction, Jenny Robertson writes what we all know poetry to be: ‘Poetry is for everyone, but poetry is not just a spontaneous out-pouring of words. It is a craft. A poet is a wordsmith who structures the raw material of experience into something as tangible as a piece of pottery, or a new-made loaf; something as mysterious as a melody.’

The poems in this anthology draw us into the depths of mystery—not only the mystery of melody, but of the divine itself: the otherworldly, supernatural God who became man.

The Poems

The works are grouped into nine themes, which, when you read them carefully, are like meditations on the birth, ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The poems speak for themselves. I’m quoting below some lines from the poems that stood out to me.

Nativity

...Anger, ache will come again,
And yet each night when drops of calm descend
Will open out a room within my heart
Where God can talk,
Fashion a peace, and find my soul once more.
- from 'Peace' by Rayne Mackinnon, page 21

Incarnation

When countless raindrops crawled upon the roof
Like millions of live insects, God lifted up
My aimlessness and gave it purpose. Now
It is night-time; a wind runs thru the dark
And raindrops bounce
Upon its surface. ...
- Prayer, by Rayne Mackinnon, page 38

Commonplace

Today, the sun lord; banishing the commonplace.
Crocks and cupboards, pots and pans - all aglow
With borrowed brilliance. ...
- April Sunlight: Kitchen Muse, by Alice Fairclough, page 51

Laughter And Tears

Bad Balaam beat his ass a thumping crack
But she called back, condemned his cruel attack:
'You've beat me Balaam, bruised my bony back -
Your size six boots will surely have to walk.'
Now Balaam never knew his ass could talk.
- Bad Poem About Balaam, by Chris Porteous, page 69

Landscape

My experience is different.
Roots were dragging me under,
I could not grow for the heavy clinging.
- April 16th, by Tessa Ransford, page 84

Beatitude

May a strong guardian
Stand at the door
With sword and olive branch.
- The Guardians, by George Mackay Brown, page 108

Way Of The Cross

He left the deadly body, fired by love,
that ghostly flame, whose nature he would learn
though quickly his most willing flesh must burn.
- The Fire, by John Bate, page 129

Resurrection

The sad mountain where in a gale of grief,
cut by scourge and lance to the quick of the heart
you weathered for us the dark storm of tears,
tears for the things of men and for their follies
unshed, unsaid in our dumb heart's blocked fountain.
- Sequences, by Kevin Nichols, page 150

A Touch Of Flame

flame which my longing fans
"ignis existuans",
body, mind, soul of me
purify utterly;
naught would content my mind
more, than that purge to find!
- St John Of The Cross, At Ubeda, by H.O. Brian O'Neill, page 168

Let This Book Speak to You

Poetry, prayer and worship go together. This book brings new words, phrases and ways to express and articulate your love for God.

Reading A Touch of Flame helped me realise the power of words and sparked my love for poetry. This is one of the best Christian poetry books for spiritual growth. I strongly recommend you read this book.

A Touch of Flame is more than just another faith-based poetry book, these are inspirational Christian poems about Jesus Christ. These poems will deepen your faith.

Where to Find the Book

I bought A Touch of Flame at Bargain Box on Main Street in Nadi Town nearly ten years ago, and it’s stayed with me ever since. If you’re not visiting Nadi, you can still get your copy online on Amazon using my affiliate links below, or at your favourite bookshop.

Amazon: A Touch Of Faith, by Jenny Robertson.

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Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links in this content. This is at no additional cost to you. Thank you!

Photo by Siteri (May 2025). Designed in Canva