The poems in this unique illustrated collection reflect spiritual seeking and echoes of life's challenges and tragedies. Written in free verse, the poems focus on seeking the Divine, observing nature, and expressing hope. As such, they are unconventional expressions of human encounters, observations of the natural world, and testaments to the process of spiritual maturation. Fire Voices challenges readers to explore their ever-expanding interior and exterior horizons.
"Fire Voices illuminates the interconnectedness of the human experience. The content of Clark's poetry is easily relatable. Each poem allows readers a wide reach into their ears, heart, soul, and toes. I am particularly struck by Clark's visceral imagery and cunning use of sound and cadence to engage the senses. I am taken on an imaginative journey that is satisfying whether it be: thrilling, uncomfortable, funny, joyous, macabre, deeply sad, uplifting, questioning. Fire Voices is a wonderful collection of poems. I offer a caution to the discerning reader; you will be moved by the emotional power these poems tender. --- Amber C. McPhail, B.A. Earlham College, 1998, Chatham, New York
"Occasional poetic thoughts may occur to any of us when something truly strikes a chord in us, but few of us have the focus and skill to craft that thought into a coherent word song of a poem. Sheldon Clark has that disciplined focus and skill to make his insights accessible to us and we are the better for taking time to reflect on his poems. May his poems reach a wide audience willing to savor these little gems." ---Susan I. Swanton, AB Harvard, 1963 MLS Columbia University, 1965; Retired Library Director, Rochester, New York, 1965-2003
"Sheldon Clark's latest work operates magnificently on two levels --- one the intimate reality of love and loss, the other the wisdom of spiritual maturity and acceptance. Clark asks the reader to join him in bringing these threads together, to experience the loss that comes from endings yet revere the magnificence of life and connection. Ultimately, with his characteristic deliberate language and astute allusions, Clark suggests there is hope to be found in the divine, in nature, in God, and in quiet contemplation." ---Sarah Woodside, Ph.D. Boston University, 2016 Associate Professor, Northeastern University
Sheldon H. Clark, D. Min. has lived and worked in the United States of America, India, and Canada. He graduated from Westtown School, '59, and holds a B.A. (English) from Hiram College (Ohio) (1964) and two degrees from the University of Toronto, Drama (1970) and a B.Ed. (1971). He settled on a career as an English and Drama teacher, and eventually became the Headmaster of Pickering College, Newmarket, Ontario (1972-1995). Subsequently, he earned an M. Div. from the Earlham School of Religion, Richmond, Indiana (1999), and a D. Min. from Anderson University School of Theology, Anderson, Indiana (2003). He became a second career pastor who served several congregations in Indiana, where he also served as a hospital and prison chaplain. He has a married daughter and one grandson. He is a widower, retired, and lives in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.
