Cadence of Despair
More Praise for A Cadence of Despair
Tenneson has wandered the valleys of grief and the mountains of success. His poetry is a companioning prescription for anyone living life with all of its joys and sadnesses. These poems are soul-food – healthy and healing. Drink deep of these poems and be not alone.
Charles LaFond, Author of Note to Self: Creating Your Guide to a More Spiritual Life
I am grateful for the honesty in these pages and for the circle of men who helped steward them to being. For this is what is it is to be fully human, and nothing could be more urgent in these days than helping one another claim our fullest humanity.
Rev. Erin Gilmore, Ordained Minister, United Church of Christ
Tenneson Woolf gives uncensored treatment to the depth of pain that true surrender requires -- important medicine for all of us who are willing to feel our own despair and the despair of the world.
Kinde Nebeker, MFA, FATP-EP, Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide
There are moments in life when you are blessed with the connection of friendship that sees right through you and holds you in all of your vulnerability and worth. Tenneson is one of those blessings for me. A man of complexity, intelligence and open heartedness that drips off these pages. This collection is a beautiful and generous sharing of raw authenticity. This sharing of despair and renewal holds me in my own.
Michele Crozier, Co-Founder of Campfire Coop
Sometimes, with enough courage, or simply stubbornness, the poison can be the medicine. Tenneson Woolf is one of the rare warriors that chose to go into the mundanity of his own despair, and return to share the healing. His journey is a quiet gift to us all, but perhaps especially men. Dear reader, to be invited to witness the reclaiming of a heart is the strongest of medicine.
Lawrence Kampf, Founder of Nova Earth Institute
Tenneson has captured raw material from dreams, journaling, places where the rational brain does not reign. He invites us to walk through a shadowy valley of grief, shame, and despair until we reach his poem ‘I’m OK’!! This book is a radical act and generous gift!
Sarah MacDougall, Ed.D., Master Student and Elder of The Circle Way
When I met Tenneson over 25 years ago, I experienced him as an ‘Elegant Wordsmith’. This was true in his speaking as well as his writing. Now, with his new book, he has honed his ability as an Elegant Wordsmith and created a powerful weaving, using threads of his life as the potent colorful yarns. The results are a brave and mature tapestry that is Rich and Raw, Light and Dark, Intelligent and Insane… in other words Deeply Real. Tenneson’s poetry and stories take us on the journey of confronting our own Deeply Real. And, he lovingly holds our hands all the way without even trying. The compassion and kindness that he has developed through living all that he writes about, accompanies us all the way -- that's a lot of Healing Love. If you are looking for Deeply Real, this is the read you are looking for.
Jeraldene Lovell-Cole, Holistic Health Practitioner and Educator
In Tenneson’s willingness to share this deeply personal human journey he touches the universal experience of coming face-to-face with, and questioning, the divine. I bow to his willingness to learn in public; we are all better for it.
Quanita Roberson, Grief Worker, West African Dagara Tradition
I read these poems like I’ve read biblical Psalms. They are candid and honest. In this collection, Tenneson approaches the edge again and again, sometimes lingering frightfully, gazing into the losses that have punctuated his life. This is a book for people who look deeply into themselves.
The Rev. Cameron Barr, Senior Pastor, United Church of Chapel Hill
Sometimes all you need is a nudge. These poems nudge me closer to something; depth, sweetness, heart, scars, another's memory that is my own.
Chris Smyth, Shepherd of Trees
For those parched and bent from years of leaning into the winds of life, Tenneson's poems carry so much moisture. Come drink. Let them sooth, provoke, and grieve you. Let them hold you.
Bob Stilger, author of After Now: When We Cannot See The Future, Where Do We Begin
In his brave book, Tenneson embodies the courage of vulnerability and the grace of truth-telling. “Be with life,” he writes, and that’s the story he offers us—the story of being with life, in grief and discovery, with companions and alone and, always, with steadfast presence. In his poetry and essays, Tenneson opens his heart to us, and invites us to open our hearts to life.
Ann Pelo, Author most recently of From Teaching to Thinking: A Pedagogy for Reimagining Our Work
Charles LaFond, Author of Note to Self: Creating Your Guide to a More Spiritual Life
I am grateful for the honesty in these pages and for the circle of men who helped steward them to being. For this is what is it is to be fully human, and nothing could be more urgent in these days than helping one another claim our fullest humanity.
Rev. Erin Gilmore, Ordained Minister, United Church of Christ
Tenneson Woolf gives uncensored treatment to the depth of pain that true surrender requires -- important medicine for all of us who are willing to feel our own despair and the despair of the world.
Kinde Nebeker, MFA, FATP-EP, Wilderness Rites of Passage Guide
There are moments in life when you are blessed with the connection of friendship that sees right through you and holds you in all of your vulnerability and worth. Tenneson is one of those blessings for me. A man of complexity, intelligence and open heartedness that drips off these pages. This collection is a beautiful and generous sharing of raw authenticity. This sharing of despair and renewal holds me in my own.
Michele Crozier, Co-Founder of Campfire Coop
Sometimes, with enough courage, or simply stubbornness, the poison can be the medicine. Tenneson Woolf is one of the rare warriors that chose to go into the mundanity of his own despair, and return to share the healing. His journey is a quiet gift to us all, but perhaps especially men. Dear reader, to be invited to witness the reclaiming of a heart is the strongest of medicine.
Lawrence Kampf, Founder of Nova Earth Institute
Tenneson has captured raw material from dreams, journaling, places where the rational brain does not reign. He invites us to walk through a shadowy valley of grief, shame, and despair until we reach his poem ‘I’m OK’!! This book is a radical act and generous gift!
Sarah MacDougall, Ed.D., Master Student and Elder of The Circle Way
When I met Tenneson over 25 years ago, I experienced him as an ‘Elegant Wordsmith’. This was true in his speaking as well as his writing. Now, with his new book, he has honed his ability as an Elegant Wordsmith and created a powerful weaving, using threads of his life as the potent colorful yarns. The results are a brave and mature tapestry that is Rich and Raw, Light and Dark, Intelligent and Insane… in other words Deeply Real. Tenneson’s poetry and stories take us on the journey of confronting our own Deeply Real. And, he lovingly holds our hands all the way without even trying. The compassion and kindness that he has developed through living all that he writes about, accompanies us all the way -- that's a lot of Healing Love. If you are looking for Deeply Real, this is the read you are looking for.
Jeraldene Lovell-Cole, Holistic Health Practitioner and Educator
In Tenneson’s willingness to share this deeply personal human journey he touches the universal experience of coming face-to-face with, and questioning, the divine. I bow to his willingness to learn in public; we are all better for it.
Quanita Roberson, Grief Worker, West African Dagara Tradition
I read these poems like I’ve read biblical Psalms. They are candid and honest. In this collection, Tenneson approaches the edge again and again, sometimes lingering frightfully, gazing into the losses that have punctuated his life. This is a book for people who look deeply into themselves.
The Rev. Cameron Barr, Senior Pastor, United Church of Chapel Hill
Sometimes all you need is a nudge. These poems nudge me closer to something; depth, sweetness, heart, scars, another's memory that is my own.
Chris Smyth, Shepherd of Trees
For those parched and bent from years of leaning into the winds of life, Tenneson's poems carry so much moisture. Come drink. Let them sooth, provoke, and grieve you. Let them hold you.
Bob Stilger, author of After Now: When We Cannot See The Future, Where Do We Begin
In his brave book, Tenneson embodies the courage of vulnerability and the grace of truth-telling. “Be with life,” he writes, and that’s the story he offers us—the story of being with life, in grief and discovery, with companions and alone and, always, with steadfast presence. In his poetry and essays, Tenneson opens his heart to us, and invites us to open our hearts to life.
Ann Pelo, Author most recently of From Teaching to Thinking: A Pedagogy for Reimagining Our Work
