Rachel Wiedower
CONTACT:
Email: rewiedower@gmail.com
BIO:
Rachel Wiedower is a poet whose writing is marked by an intimate voice- unafraid of tenderness and the beauty of inner renewal. Drawing inspiration from personal journey, spiritual longing and the unseen power of faith, her poetry often reads like a whispered conversation with God. Her work is shaped by lived experience, often drawing attention to the irony of life found in everyday moments. Through honest language and contemplative voice, her poetry expresses themes of hope, surrender, resilience and love, offering readers both comfort and challenge.
Rachel writes with the intention of connection rather than performance, offering poems that feel personal and deep. Her work invites readers to pause, reflect, and recognize themselves within the lines.
Rachel has read for the Woodland Pattern poetry marathon, is a member of a poetry writing group called The First Line, and is an active participant in a small writing critique group.
Poetry
Recliner
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me: your rod and your staff, they comfort me Psalm 23:4 NIV
The teacher leans her sigh
against the palm of her hand
as she studies the open book
of math lessons
waiting to become a slide deck
She shelves yesterday’s lesson
on her chipped coffee table
a tray of paper clips and pens
out of reach
from the recliner she sits in
Each morning, she unfolds
the plastic craft table
sets her laptop and coffee on it
slips her feet into slippers
and smiles as students come late
She looks at the school schedule
taped next to a picture of her girls
calculates 130 days left of school
3 weeks until Christmas
Mute, unmute and keep your webcam on
sound foreign coming out of her mouth
her student’s heartfelt prayers
thanking god for keeping us safe
and 6 feet apart
Eventually frustration matches hers
when a dry erase I hate you
is held up on a whiteboard
one of many squares
separating student from consequence
The final goodbye is sung in silence
he reads their lips
pretends she is singing it too
waves goodbye to them
clicks to end the conference
her screen stares black
Rewind Poetry, Rachel Elizabeth 12/5/20
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV)
Pillar History
picture stops breath
no amount
can bring her back
to gingham kerchief
burnt shoulders
and sand stung shins
her towel a distant striped spot
seen but not sought
the waves come in
slivered shards
scratch the frame of her
she steps into the dark coolness
claustrophobia no match for depth
opens her eyes
sees the sun ripple white
watches the bubbles around her hair
she opens her mouth to swallow
but the current heaves her up
momentarily wins
she stands toes digging in
looks back at the camera
her smile eventually
caught behind glass
Rewind Poetry, Rachel Elizabeth, 1/25