Ethan Lewis

An Evensong

Arts & Literature

Foreword

(wrote the foreword)

Transfiguring

Arts & Literature

“In some respect, Nathaniel Schmidt may be construed as a latter-day George Herbert. Certain poems evince religious skepticism, a questioning that ultimately affirms faith in language packed yet clear, puissant, pulsing. The chaplain poems (Schmidt’s ministry compasses a psych ward) break one’s heart—but absent sentimentality. That is, candidly, thus, again, buttressing conviction. And few write such exemplary ekphrastic pieces: Schmidt possesses an innate sense, whereby painting flows through language, vis-à-vis language translates poetry.”