A Permeable Life: Poems & Essays

by Carrie Newcomer

“A Permeable Poems & Essays is Carrie Newcomer’s first book, and it’s a cause for celebration. For over two decades, Carrie has gathered a legion of fans who know and love her work as a mindful, soulful singer-songwriter. In this book she reveals herself to be a first-class poet and essayist as well, showing us the aquifer of intuition and insight from which her music and lyrics flow. Read this book, and find your heart and mind opening to a more permeable life." - Parker J. Palmer (author of Healing the Heart of Democracy, the Courage to Teach and Let Your Life Speak)

Genres: Poetry, Essays

102 pages, Paperback

First published March 17, 2014

About the author

Carrie Newcomer is a Grammy winning songwriter, recording artist, author, keynote presenter, performer and educator. She has been described as a “prairie mystic” by the Boston Globe and “ “asks all the right questions” by Rolling Stone, “a voice as rich as Godiva chocolate.” by The Austin Statesman, and "She's the kind of artist whose music makes you stop, think and then say, 'that is so true” by The Dallas Morning News." In the fall of 2009 and 2011 Newcomer was a cultural ambassador to India invited by the American Embassy of India. In October 2011 she released her interfaith collaborative benefit album Everything is Everywhere with world master of the Indian Sarod, Amjad Ali Khan. In June 2012 Carrie Newcomer traveled to Kenya, Africa performing in schools, hospitals, spiritual communities and AIDS hospitals. In 2013 Carrie visited organizations dedicated to non-violent conflict resolution through the arts and the empowerment of women in the Middle East. Huffington Post Religion Community listed her song “Holy as the Day is Spent” as one of the best spiritual songs of 2012.

In 2014 Available Light Records released A Permeable Life. Newcomer also has 14 nationally releases on the Concord/Rounder Records including; The Geography of Light, The Gathering of Spirits and Before and After. In 2014 Newcomer also released her first companion book A Permeable Life: Poems and Essays.
Newcomer, a contemplative Quaker, cuts across secular and spiritual boundaries. In recent years, Newcomer has emerged as a prominent voice for progressive spirituality, social and environmental justice. Carrie internationally facilitates workshops and presents keynotes on the topics of songwriting, spirituality & vocation.

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like what I've heard of Carrie Newcomer's music but I can't claim to be an avid fan. I sort of came across her because she hangs with Parker Palmer and some people I know share her stuff. Any this a solid of poems and essays, the best ones are about math, and spirituality and some keen observations. The essays are in-life-kind of essays. They have a blog post feel, though more crafted. On the whole I enjoyed this.

[Drick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of the music and lyrics of Carrie Newcomer. This book is a companion of sorts to her album The Permeable Life, filled with poems and essays that tell stories that are referenced in some of her songs. Others are just offered as personal reflections. I enjoyed her poems more than the essays, but thru both appreciated learning more about this songwriter who speaks so simply but eloquently about the issues, joys and struggles of modern life.

[Eugene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her prose poems are often insightful and very approachable. The poems "A Permeable Life", "Why We are Hre" and "Showing Up" stand out for me.

I find the her stories are so-so. Perhaps there is too much midwestern hominess for me in them.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie Newcomer, the singer / songwriter, has a gift for touching places and images in our lives. This book of poems and essays reflects this talent, and some of these short pieces really shed light on life.

Check out her poetry and essays, but also give her a listen.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely gorgeous- I love this and her music album with the same name.

[Lea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this collection

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a longtime fan of singer-songwriter Carrie Newcomer, so I was delighted to see she had published a book of poems and essays, and it does not disappoint. There are no throw-away lines in her songs--she always seems to be speaking her truth, and I have envied her seeming serenity more than once. "How does she stay so centered?" (When I found out she was a Quaker, I actually investigated that a bit, before deciding it wasn't for me.) I saw her perform live once, at a concert that was a bit hastily scheduled, and not well-publicized, and there were only 25-30 of us in the audience. She had us all move forward to be close to her, and for two hours she sang and talked to us as if we were old friends she had invited into her living room for an evening. It was magical, and so is this little book. Fans of her songwriting will be pleased that she makes notes of which poems and essays were starting points for particular songs. It's a small book, but it's a gem.

[Paul Manytravels · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent collection of both essays and wonderful poetry. Clearly these are written from the heart and they inspire universal feelings in readers. The essays are every bit as well written as the poetry, full of imagery and tightly constructed sentences, yet they feel natural and even "folksy."
I rarely read the same book twice and when I do, there are usually years between readings, but I feel like reading this book once was only an introduction to it. To truly appreciate it, I need to read it again and perhaps again, starting today. And, as with all poetry, I need to read the poetry out loud, perhaps learning by heart some of the poems
Newcomer's music resonated with me well before I came across her book, and it was delightful to find how much range she has, how much insight she can express in music, poetry, and essays, and how much she understands about being human.
I hope she is working on more books; I would love to red them all!

[Jeff Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book of verse and essays. Centred in nature and 'ordinary' human experience, Carrie has the uncanny ability to evoke transcendence from ordinary life. Deeply spiritual without being bogged down in sectarianism, each reading is like a dip in the ocean. You'll spend a lot of time after reading a passage with the book in your lap staring off into space thinking. Food for the spirit.

[Pat Mulroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carrie helps me to see the grace and beauty in the ordinary. Her book houses her stories and gives insight to the wonderful songs and melodies that I linger on throughout my day. Her essays are heartfelt and kind. The words are like soft, plush velvet. I am inspired to stay tuned to what is happening right in front of me.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so very glad I read this. It’s a wonderful collection of poems and essays by the singer/songwriter/poet/writer. The writing reeks of southern Indiana (a place I know well) and I see new things because of her language that moves from Southern Indiana to India and across the human heart. The book is half poems and half essays and all beauty and heart.

[Sara Haynes · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those fortunate enough to learn about this philosopher, poet and songwriter for the first time, you are in for a treat. I love this book . It reminds me of all the good out there despite the evening news. Carrie's spirituality is inclusive and uplifting. A wonderful read!

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely, lyrical poems and essays by Quaker folk singer Carrie Newcomer.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend recommended this author/singer/songwriter to me after hearing her in concert. I really enjoyed (4.5 stars, if only I could) this little volume of poems and essays. She muses on topics such as nature, relationship, dogs, death and aging. I am touched, encouraged, and grateful for her perspective.