In these poems, Thurston reverences the borders, literal and metaphorical, that have been a part of her life since childhood. This reverence shines in her deep appreciation for the holy space, for nature infused with the divine, for roots that are deep. These prayerful meditations on Celtic saints and places invite the reader to honor the borders in their own lives and to recognize the holiness of living on the borders.
"These are poems written by a border-dweller negotiating those tricky boundaries between the sacred and the human, between life and death, and between saint and sinner... In this stirring collection, Bonnie Thurston speaks candidly, providing notes and short explanations one usually hears only at a poetry reading. We are her eager audience, voluntarily cornered."
Jill Baumgaertner, Professor of English
"Unlike some romanticizing of all things Celtic in recent spiritual writing, Thurston's poetry exposes us to the unyielding harshness of early medieval life in what is now Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.... The book is truly nourishment for the spirit."
Sandra M. Schneiders, Jesuit School of Theology, Berkeley, CA
"Bonnie Thurston has given us in this book a rich resource for reflection and prayer. Anyone who wants to experience what Celtic spirituality might look like (as distinct from much of the pretense that passes for it today) could do no better than read and savour this little book. Rich and satisfying results are in store for the reader. I highly recommend it."
