The Saving I Need: Poetry Chapel Vol I (Paperback or Softback)

From the bestselling author of The Wrestle comes another memorable poetry collection.

The Saving I Need brings readers over forty new poems penned by David Tensen, accompanied by a generous selection of carefully crafted poems from fourteen emerging poets chosen and mentored by David himself. From its breathtaking opening piece 'Birthing God' through to its end, this anthology invites readers into a poetic meditation through beauty, tragedy, hope and spirituality.

Acclaimed by theologians as a prophetic Psalter of these times, Tensen continues to write with expanding wisdom, love and empathy, echoing the silent cries of his lifetime and the Christian tradition.

This book also features poetry from: Andrew Adair. Abigail Bucks. Brian Bucks. Carly Caprio. Kara Chidlow. Nicole Fisher. Matthew Hardy. Kaelan Kiernan. Victoria Kuttainen. Franki Maglaras. Jessica Mussro. Jessica Stevens Nicole Walker. Tineke Ziemer.

From the collection:

'Cracks'

by David Tensen

it's the cracks

on the road to wholeness

you have to watch for

the novice avoids them,

scuttling with speed

across the bitumen

hoping to reach

a promised land

without tripping

but the wise slow down

knowing the road

has no end

the wise have learnt

the cracks are

the way forward

going down

into the narrows

where seeds fall

Australian author David Tensen brings decades of experience in pastoral care, spiritual development, and research to his writing. His poems, in four collections (2020-2022), have achieved global reach and connection with audiences of all ages - with 'The Wrestle', remains a favourite among many. But David's ability to weave words and stir hearts goes beyond poetry. In 2018, he was commissioned to write on fathering for families in China. In 2024, David released his first kid's book, 'The Kid Without A Costume'. And in 2025, his provocative manifesto, 'Decenter Everything, ' became a bestseller in three categories, including conduct of life, health and spirituality, adulthood and aging. In 2026, David and his wife will publish a book on The Blessing.