Books

Voice at the Window

‘Voice at the Window’ is a collection of 100 daily gratitude poems written during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020. This poetry book was published in October 2020 thanks to a lovely bunch of supporters on Kickstarter!

Whilst struggling with winter blues, I decided to stop scrolling on social media and post one gratitude poem a day instead. I thought that even if no one read them it would do me good. I began writing on 26th February. It was initially a project for lent, with the intention of writing 40 poems, but by that time, the UK was in full lockdown and coronavirus was sweeping the globe. The response to the poems was really positive, and with encouragement from family and friends, I kept going until I reached 100. I think the poems really resonated with people as we were all going through this strange, empty and anxious time, and we were going through it together, but sealed off in our own little boxes.

My hope is that this collection of poems will speak to the heart and serve as a reminder to be thankful, even if things seem impossible at the moment. There is good in each day, we just have to remember to look for it.

This is a paperback collection of 100 gratitude poems. You can see more on my Instagram page (Instagram.com/elisabethpikewriter). You can get the book here.

Here are two of the poems from the book-

‘Gratitude #57

I turn to see the bright field
at dusk,
in the inky blue of bedtime,
and then first thing
in the morning,
where it glows against the
warming sky like a beacon
or a flash of hope.

It is a new day.’

‘Gratitude #59

Dear birds,
please be our healers,
our message bringers,
our sweet talkers.
Whether we be city dwellers
or country folk,
you birds are the only ones
who can visit us all.
Whether we have lost our best friend,
or are tethered to our home,
whether we are lonely or overcrowded,
may your gentle ‘per-wit’,
your ‘chee-chee’,
your slow ‘coo-coo’
be a balm to our souls.
May we sleep like birds of the air
who know they have a nest.
May we wake in the morning
like sparrows who know
that they are cared for.
And wherever we are,
may we find an open window
and listen.’

Reviews for Voice at the Window

‘Thank you so much for bringing these beautiful words into this crazy world’

‘I’m thankful for your words each day’

‘absolutely beautiful’

‘I look forward to these every day’

Circles

I wrote Circles as a chronicle of my own creative journey through the exhausting years of parenting young children, and also to encourage others to go on their own journey with their creativity and faith, to give time and space to their gifts, and to allow them to flourish. It was published in April 2019 by Onwards and Upwards. You can get it here.

Endorsements:

‘Liz Pike’s encouragement for us to pursue our creative dreams and find ways of expressing them is a creative work of art in itself. It follows her life in Guildford and Shrewsbury as a struggling young Mum (now with four children), her second child being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, and her husband, also a creative musician, also struggling to make ends meet. Yet through it all there is the same quiet, compelling call to creativity, which Liz shares with us. Her children and life are part of this, in a background which often seems to work against any time at all for creative expression. Each chapter nevertheless includes one or more of her poems which arise out of the often perplexing cross-currents of her life. The book is a treasure trove of many wonderful quotations from a wide range of writers on the mystery of creativity. At the same time, the book is full of practical suggestions, the more convincing because arising from her own life as described in the book. And through everything there is the encouragement that listening and giving expression to the creative gift within us is what God calls us to, as underlined by frequent references to the scriptures, brought to life by the new context in which they are placed. This thread running throughout the book rises to a glorious climax in the closing lines of the final chapter: triumphant without being triumphalistic. Liz has provided a great service to everyone who has ever wondered if they have a creative gift inside them but has lacked the courage to pursue it. A copy of this book should be close to hand to each of us.’

Peter Wilkinson
Pastor, Teacher and Writer

‘Liz Pike writes with passion, spiritual integrity and searing honesty. She not only describes her own personal journey in embracing creativity but draws on the wisdom of well-loved poets and writers to explore the ambiguities and joys of the art of writing. Her poetry, which resonates with Celtic spirituality, expresses wonderfully the moments of inspiration and struggle of everyday life, in beautiful imagery and imaginative use of language. It has been a privilege to accompany Liz on her creative journey over the past ten years and to witness how, against so many odds, including the increasing challenges and demands of motherhood, she has made space for the seeds of creativity within her to grow, blossom and bear fruit – not just in this book and other published writing, but in the lives of many others. A commissioned writer myself, I read Circles at a time when my confidence had waned and I lacked the courage to take on a bigger writing challenge. Liz’s words were exactly what I needed for God to speak again to me: that if I didn’t write what I had inside me, who else would? I encourage you to read Circles with an open heart and mind, and to receive the creative call yourself. May you be inspired and encouraged by the authenticity of Liz’s words, life and testimony – and may the wonderful Creator’s glory shine through you.’

Carol Herzig
Teacher; former Editor of Inspiring Women Every Day and Freelance Writer

‘I first read a draft of Liz’s book when I was in the murky depths of early years motherhood. To say the book was timely is an understatement. Despite the obvious joys of parenthood, I had lost myself in raising three children under the age of four. As a musician and writer, I struggled not to resent motherhood for depriving me of the creative flow that is fundamental to my being. Liz’s book brought such perspective, hope and challenge. She had written what was in my heart with an eloquence that I do not possess. Liz’s book is a call to all those creatives feeling lost under the pressures of motherhood. Her writing will revitalise your creative practice with the combined sharpness of an academic mind; and the warmth of a good friend who has just made you a well-needed cup of tea. You won’t regret reading it.’

Rebecca Hitch
Musician and Writer

There You Are

‘There You Are’ is a collection of 34 of my own original, hand lettered and illustrated poems about motherhood: the joys, the struggles and the sense of wonder. I wrote these poems as I needed an outlet in an incredibly intense time, full of exhaustion and pure joy. There You Are was self-published in December 2017. You can get it here.

Reviews for There You Are

‘I love everything about this book. The poems and illustrations are exquisite. I bought it as a gift for my daughter who was delighted to receive it. Just beautiful!’

‘I’m really loving this little poetry collection, such sweet thoughts and reflections around family and life with little ones.’

‘I am not usually one to read poetry. But I loved Liz’s poems that she shared on social media and so I wanted to read more. Her words really resonated with me as a new mum and I find myself thinking about them long after Ive put the book down. Beautifully illustrated too. Such a unique gorgeous book that I will read again and again.’

‘Gorgeous little book ♥️ love it! Thanks so much 5🌟’