Plain Drink Tea: Ward J. Stothers' Book of Poems and Prayers

Since 2000, Ward Stothers has been actively preparing to work in the Christian church in Ireland, to come alongside and assist in the area of reconciliation amongst the Irish people. He has gifts of teaching and preaching using poetic language. He affirms the creativity of all people of faith seeking to work together.

To make public the words of one sojourner celebrating hope, Ward creates wagons to carry readers beyond today's trouble, the tyranny of the past, and the lurking fear of the future. Peace within divided Belfast will transform the Irish and Scots-Irish diasporas, give new emigrants a life full vision, and remind the remainder of the resounding success. Plain Drink Tea is his first book.

Hundreds of books have been written on and because of, the Troubles, Ireland, and peace. It is time for less analysis, soul searching, and blatant venting, and time for more elusive nuanced art.

Belfast is lived out within a spray of rattling toughness. It reeks of the finality of death and applauds with an adherence to the institutions of normal everyday living. Life has changed. Journey dreams. Counting friends. Facing mortality. Peace lived; peace loved. The city looks attractive but the aura darkens quickly. Only hope persists and a new day every day.