Words and Silence on the Poetry of Thomas Merton Sister Therese Lentfoehr

by Sister Therese Lentfoehr — A contemplative study of poetry, faith, and quiet meaning
 
Thoughtful and meditative, Words and Silence offers a close reading of Thomas Merton’s poetry, exploring how language and stillness work together in his spiritual vision. This is a reflective work of literary criticism grounded in monastic insight and careful scholarship.
 
💖 Why You’ll Love It
Insightful literary criticism rooted in contemplative practice
Illuminates Thomas Merton’s poetry through a spiritual lens
Clear, reflective prose rather than dense theory
Ideal for slow, thoughtful reading
🌟 Perfect For
Readers of Thomas Merton’s poetry and journals
Students of religious literature and criticism
Those interested in contemplative spirituality
Readers who enjoy faith-informed literary analysis
 
First published in 1979, Words and Silence: On the Poetry of Thomas Merton examines how Merton’s poems balance expression and restraint, sound and stillness. Sister Therese Lentfoehr approaches Merton’s work with deep familiarity, tracing themes of contemplation, solitude, and the search for God as they emerge through poetic form.
 
Rather than academic abstraction, the book invites readers into a slower, more attentive engagement with poetry—one that mirrors the spiritual discipline at the heart of Merton’s writing.