My soulDoes magnifySophia The presence of the tigerStanding magnificentWith a roar declares: My stanceMy whiskersMy alertness My pink noseMy piercing eyesMy perked up ears My twitchy tailMy scent markingsMy territorial scratchings My snarlMy ferociousnessMy prowl My pranceMy boundingMy pounce My biteMy killMy lips My tasteMy breathMy heartbeat My every ounceMy squint-eye smileMy happiness My purrMy […]
Category Archives: Poems
Awake to Ukraine
There is a dawn moment when the heavens are blue and the sun creates yellow above the horizon of the sea and you see a blue with a yellow stripe emerging beneath and at that moment we awake to the flag of Ukraine. Please get up in the morning and reflect on the sunrise and […]
Slowly We Breathe The Change
Please read like a psalm and pause at each selah (asterisk) * Slowly we breathe, We support a space, singing an ode to “we,” men and women * and however we identify. Slowly we breathe We support a space where we can be open, be imagined by the best in all of us * to […]
Will you sign the Mary Manifesto?

At the root of my work on ending poverty is knowing that we are all equal as humans and, in my faith, all equally loved by God. This leads to justice. Justice calls us to provide opportunity for all. At a time when it is important to speak up and be counted for equality, justice […]
The Tiger & Sophia
I stride out,Padding softly,Focus bright. My keen eyes,The obstacles of manBlighting her hope. If I need to, I roar.If I need to, I snarl.If I need to, I bite. Mostly I padAlong in love,Sniffing out the mighty, I hunt them.Charge into The back of their legs. Together we kneelBefore poverty herself,Offering healing hands. Will we […]
The King of Kings
In a large bleak field Stands a radiant man. Announcing I am the King of Kings, The only Son of God. I approach the man, The light is so strong I have can hardly make out Any human features. Drawing near I see he holds a long handled shovel. He has just dug A minuscule […]
THE SONGS OF sOPHIa
Dedicated to the Co-Founders of OPHI Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative: Sabina Alkire & John Hammock (En español haga clic aquí: LAS CANCIONES DE sOPHIa) THE SONGS OF sOPHIa Wisdom Sophia, wisdom, she comes to us * And gently holds our hands. With your hands * Count and number things, Shake hands to make friends, […]
LAS CANCIONES DE sOPHIa
Dedicado a los Co-Fundadores de OPHIIniciativa de Oxford Pobreza y Desarrollo Humano:Sabina Alkire y John Hammock 1.- Sabiduría Sophia, Sabiduría, viene a nosotrosy gentilmente toma nuestras manos. Con tus manos,puedes contar y numerar cosas. Estrecha manos para hacer amistades,Haz cosas que creen un mejor mundo. Ella posa sus manos en nuestros corazones,Sintiendo el numero que […]
The Candle Trilogy published in “Untamed Gospel”
Martyn Percy, Dean of Christ Church College, Oxford writes, “It is good to be able to welcome and introduce the poetry of Jamie Coats in this anthology. Jamie is a layperson working for the Society of St John the Evangelist (SSJE) in the United States − an Anglican religious order of brothers. Jamie writes on […]
The Dove
I fly and land where needed, Where Justice finds her heart hurting, And we hold the gods accountable, Opening eyes to her love, To the love of her, God. A Prayer of Oblation (c) Jamie Coats 24th July 2017