book review, poetry

Book Review: _Poems & Prayers_, by Matthew McConaughey

Posted by Lisa or Li on

It’s good for what it is, which is a short, but dense, handbook comprised mostly of rhyming verse and haiku-like proverbs — with notes — that make existential sense. The poems and prayers cross all chronologies and matters of heart, soul, and conscience. Several of them resonate for me as I perceive them as hard-won advice. The sections on love and forgiveness are my favorites. I also like the minimalist drawings to reinforce what is being said.

There is a humility to the writing that keeps it from becoming preachy.

Favorites:
Memory (p. 61)
Good Man (p. 77)
Revel in the Post (The consequences of good lovin’.) (p. 109)
Truth Slave (p. 113)
Temptation (p. 134)
The Mess I Made (pp. 135-137)

Today, may I be available to
see myself as God sees me

and faithful enough to believe it
(p. 151)

Until Now (p. 166)
American Dreams Lost to Find (intro) (p. 173)

Due process is the ass
that you do to get it kissed.
— from Streamers in the Hall of Justice (pp. 175-179)

America, Yet. (p. 184)
Sunrise Intentions and All-Day Appreciations (intro) (p. 187)

12 Comments Add yours

  1. subversopus's avatar subversopus says:
    December 26, 2025 at 7:02 pm

    Classic stuff!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
      December 26, 2025 at 7:18 pm

      Agreed. Grounding in a time of chaos.

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  2. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:
    December 26, 2025 at 9:03 pm

    I like him…always have and I don’t say that about a lot of actors as people. He does seem grounded and not above it all..
    side note….I’ll never forget him in Dazed and Confused.

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    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
      December 27, 2025 at 2:01 am

      Not sure I’ve seen that movie, but I’ve seen him in several others. He talks about not wanting to be “typecast” in romantic movies. Yes, he seems grounded. With him, I think his good looks can work against him, as everybody only sees the surface. Like Marilyn Monroe. I think you would like this book, Max. He talks quite a bit about faith in it in poem form.

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      1. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:
        December 27, 2025 at 9:54 am

        He is a stoned 70s teen in that movie…it’s great to me. I might like that book…I’ll keep it in mind.
        Funny you mention Monroe…I was just reading about her and how high of an IQ she had. And yes it did work against her…

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        1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
          December 27, 2025 at 1:42 pm

          It takes a lot of smarts to play dumb.

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          1. Badfinger (Max)'s avatar Badfinger (Max) says:
            December 27, 2025 at 2:33 pm

            What a great statement!

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            1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
              December 27, 2025 at 3:04 pm

              :)

              Liked by 1 person

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  3. pvcann's avatar pvcann says:
    December 27, 2025 at 10:36 am

    When he started getting published, I mused – who would have thought … seems he has many talents.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
      December 27, 2025 at 1:43 pm

      Paul, his pretty face works against him, especially as he’s been in so many rom coms.

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  4. Carol anne's avatar Carol anne says:
    December 27, 2025 at 1:36 pm

    sounds like an easy read, and poetry collections always spark my interest!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:
      December 27, 2025 at 1:46 pm

      CA, I wouldn’t call it an easy read. Take time with the poems.

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