Diamonds in a Stony Field

As the author I hardly know how to describe Diamonds in a Stony Field by Alla Renée Bozarth, other than to say that it is a poetry collection of selections from 1982-2022, and the poems address historical events, literature, world-travels, and deeply personal experiences and perspectives with the underlying themes of loss and redemptive grace. In addition to my 40 years as a Gestalt therapist, I'm one of the 15 Episcopal priests who cracked the stained glass ceiling in 1974 and 1975 by becoming the first women in the priesthood, with the help of brave and conscientious male bishops. I understand prejudice from personal experience. But this book isn't directly about that. Its scope is broader. From my own stories and those of people in all walks of life, I can speak of the process of making one's way, with help from others, through seemingly impossible situations, including war, poverty, family rejection, natural disasters, long illness, and chronic or recurring prejudice. I can testify that grace, grit and endurance can lead to breakthrough. When people work together, institutions can also become transformed. Where hatred prevailed, justice and kindness can take over and grow. Exploring stony fields, we may discover diamonds. Sometimes boulders in the way can serve as leaning stones while we catch our breath or lie low for a time. And we notice how smaller stones break open to reveal diamonds inside that can capture sunlight.