Matthew White Poet

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.

21/11/2025

Delighted to have my , "Eyes Up" published in "To The Mountains: The 2025 Fall Collection" by the good folk at The Way Back To Ourselves. This particular literary journal is a feast for the eyes, heart and mind, and I feel honoured to have my work featured alongside so many talented and inspirational poets, artists, writers and storytellers. You can read my poem via the link below (make sure you check out the rest of the journal):

https://www.thewayback2ourselves.com/journal/eyesup

14/11/2025

My latest , "The Wind Blows," was inspired by the words of Jesus in John 3:8:

"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going."

Link below:

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/p/the-wind-blows

02/10/2025

My latest is up now and explores our tendency to prioritise restless busyness instead of quieting ourselves and receiving the love of God:

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

12/08/2025

*LIFE UPDATE*

You may not know that for the last year and a half, I have been endeavouring to write weekly on Substack where I have been sharing significant life updates and pouring my heart into a variety of original poems and honest reflections. It has been an incredibly enriching and encouraging experience to date and it has been lovely to make new friends and connect with other Christian poets and writers. If you are yet to check out Substack, please do as it feels like a pretty wholesome platform and there are many fantastic writers and articles to sink your teeth into (metaphorically speaking, of course).

Personally, I have enjoyed the accountability that committing to writing weekly has given me as I continue to grow and develop as a writer and poet. I have also been deeply moved by the response my writing has received from others and I am grateful for the creative focus that this writing venture has given me as I continue to experiment with various poetic forms and themes.

If you would like to read what I've been writing, you can do so by visiting Idle and Blessed Poetry via the link below:

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/

Whilst all of my content is free, if you are the kind of generous soul who would like to support me / champion my work, you can do so by becoming a paid subscriber for less than the price of 1 cup of coffee per month (other paid subscription options are available). Again, link below:

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/subscribe

Thankful to all who support and encourage my family and cheering you on in solidarity!

25/07/2025

Is there anyone else out there who has…

•Woken up knowing that their father will die that day?

•Been shaken to the core by their loved one’s final words?

•Recorded a goodbye message to their dying father?

•Felt like their dead parent is still with them somehow?

•Lost their bearings due to crippling anxiety and panic attacks?

•Found solace in the “companionship” of ?

•Experienced new creative energy in the aftermath of death?

This post may be for you!

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/p/from-epitaph-to-embryo-how-the-loss

02/05/2025

A love poem to my daughter:

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/p/so-full-so-free

19/04/2025

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

A poetic re–imagining of Psalm 22 for Good Friday:

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/p/psalm-22-sonnet

28/03/2025

Here are some recent musings and a poetic offering from my Substack concerning the great cloud of witnesses and the subsequent "closeness" of those we've loved and lost:

https://idleandblessed.substack.com/p/interceding-sonnet