Luke Kennard Discusses Faith and Vocation in His Latest Poetry Collection

Kennard, who previously wrote The Answer to Everything, expressed that Christianity is often overlooked in contemporary literature due to embarrassment around discussing it. He believes faith is significant in people’s lives, though often considered too private for public conversation. In writing poetry or fiction, however, the interior lives of characters naturally bring up issues of faith and doubt.

He noted that past Christian poetry, such as John Donne’s Holy Sonnets, tends to be devotional, originating from a specific commitment to faith. Kennard aims to investigate the complexities of faith and doubt, emphasizing the importance of inner life as fundamental to existence.

In his latest collection, one character exemplifies the struggle of pursuing a vocation in writing while Jonah represents the opposite: someone who ignores his calling and suffers for that choice. Kennard articulated that the language of calling suggests a belief in a higher power, which is mirrored in various professions where individuals feel a duty to fulfill their roles. He acknowledged the absurdity in committing to the arts, as success rates are low, yet feels a responsibility to pursue creativity if it lies within.

Kennard shared insights on the suffering of artists, stating he sympathizes more with those who neglect their artistic inclinations than with artists themselves. He then discussed the final poem in The Book of Jonah, Look, You Wouldn't Get It, which describes a personal moment of prayer during a lecture on campus. He confirmed that this experience reflects an interior struggle rather than a miraculous event, concluding that it raises questions about the nature of belief and the relationship to God.

The Book of Jonah by Luke Kennard is now available for purchase.