Matthew White Poet

08/08/2026

The latest piece on my Idle and Blessed Poetry publication on Substack remembers the life and legacy of and offers some personal reflections on the nature of grief.

It also features a brand new (my tribute to Glen) as well as a deeply precious video which Glen Hansard recorded and sent to my family when my father was in his last days in hospital.

Perhaps you'd be kind enough to give it a read and to subscribe to Idle and Blessed Poetry so you can receive my weekly musings?

Link below:

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/p/new-poem-glen

13/06/2026

Over the past few years, I have become increasingly troubled by certain unhelpful (in my opinion) aspects of charismatic Christian spirituality and culture, and the way that these are shaping and influencing followers of Jesus today.

In my latest post on Idle and Blessed Poetry, I share some further reflections as well a new poem called “Search Not.”

My prayer is that we would always seek to elevate the Giver of the gifts rather than the gifts themselves. I hope that this is helpful.

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/p/search-not

18/04/2026

Do you long to know the kind of love that goes beyond the superficial?

Every week for the past 2 years, I have been sharing new and original poems on Idle and Blessed Poetry on Substack (link below):

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/p/love-is

My latest is an honest and, I hope, resonant exploration of the kind of self–giving love that all of us can gladly give ourselves to.

You can read ""Love" Is..." below:

__________

"Love" Is...

I.

“Love” is the art of knowing
Your feelings will betray
And lack of feeling is scant proof
That “Love” has gone away.

II.

“Love” is playing past sunset
In fading of the light
Yet finding no diminishing
Of wonder and delight.

III.

“Love” is the wordy silence
Between two bonded friends
In which their hopes and sadnesses
Become a journey shared.

IV.

“Love” is the wilful dying
Of selfish wants and whims,
The memory of promises
When storms are circling.

V.

“Love” is the dancing mischief
That flickers in the eyes—
Exchanged with belly laughs and winks
Over a glass of wine.

VI.

“Love” is that goosebumped pleasure
Uncovered in the sheets
Where, naked as their exposed souls,
Two pulsing lovers meet.

VII.

“Love” is the heart’s sweet breaking
At sound of newborn cry
And courageous navigating
Through loss of hoped–for child.

VIII.

“Love” is the stubborn keeping
Of socks that need to go;
A covenantal holding on
When holes threaten to show.

IX.

“Love” is the lack of clapping
For emptying the bins;
A peace with lack of fanfare for
Another laundry spin.

X.

“Love” is fresh admiration
For trophied gains of growing old,
Discovering new depths of grace
In wrinkles and skinfolds.

XI.

“Love” is the fated journey
From cradle to the hearse.
“Love” is a sticky pilgrimage
For better or for worse.

XII.

“Love” is the faithful vigil
At hospital bedside—
Contending for recovery
With prayers hoped to defy.

XIII.

“Love” is the pregnant absence
That lingers when they’re gone
And guarantees the tethering
Of hearts beyond the home.

XIV.

“Love” is the destination
As well as the transport.
And we must fight to pursue “Love”
Since for us “Love” has fought.

© Matthew White, 2026

__________

Poems and musings from a UK–based Anglican priest. Click to read Idle and Blessed Poetry, by Matthew White, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.