Review of book by Southern grad: “Unspoken Confessions”

Filed Under Religion 

Helen Pyke | Contributor

“Unspoken Confessions,” a collection of poems by 2007 Southern graduate  Jason Vandelaan, might have been banned from the McKee Library a few years ago, and even in 2009 some readers on campus might think the poet too frank about male sexuality.  However, a careful reader reads introductions, and the introduction of Vanderlaan’s book is as telling as any of the poetic confessions which follow. Vanderlaan speaks for himself in some poems, in other poems for friends or for men he would hardly call friends. He examines the sometimes faltering resolution of Christian men and the anguish of spirit resulting from their disappointment in themselves. He challenges them to hold themselves and each other accountable.  He warns young men that “loving the way she made me feel” is not the same as loving, and warns young women that what they and their girlfriends may think is a cute outfit may inspire the “Vampire” to more than playful nibbles.

Confessions leads the reader from recognition that what all too often is seen as normal is sin to revulsion, to confession, and to contrition. Vanderlaan rejoices in God’s recreative power. In “Sleeping in Gethsemane” the poet cries out of slumber for a clean heart, a heart which will hate the sin which has taken over even his dreams. Another speaker in “I Could Not Betray Eve Again” concludes:

And sometimes we must say no
Even when she’s begging for a yes.
And I could not betray Eve again
By giving in
To her offer of forbidden fruit
When she needed me to stand firm.
So she stood, waiting
With pursed lips
And empty hands
As I turned away.

“Unspoken Confessions” is a call to sexual purity at every level, of mind as well as body. Vanderlaan challenges Christian males to surrender their desires to the One who made them men, to become, not just the man of some woman’s dreams, but the husband who can joyously give his wife all the love of his lifetime. The final section of the poetic collection is called “The Way Back Starts Not with a Step, But With a Stand.” The collection of poems itself is a banner in the hands of a color bearer in Christ’s army. In effect, the poet says, “Here I stand. If you choose to be Christ’s man or woman, come stand with me.”

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