Sacred Grove

In Sacred Grove, Susan J. Rogers, takes us on a poetic journey deep into a forgotten heritage, all the way back to the sacred grove of our ancestors. In the first section, "Circle of Stones," she creates a triptych that includes a few of the horrors of African American slavery, our shared history. Then, she describes its predecessor, misogyny, and the terrible toll it takes on society when dehumanization becomes the norm. Finally, these roots lead inevitably to the January 6, 2021 insurrection bent on the destruction of democracy.

In the next section, "Lifetime of Desire" Rogers continues to describe the destructive force of dehumanization including homophobia, the generational trauma of Native Americans, environmental degradation, and the overzealous use of medical treatments that harm rather than cure. She then pivots to love stories between women as an example of how the long wound of homophobia can be transformed into a source of healing and strength.

In the last section, "What the Elves Say," Rogers takes us back to the Goddess as nature's regenerative presence. She uncovers stories of divine wisdom and compassion beneath the fairy tales of Europe. According to Rogers, "When tribal people worshiped the Goddess, disrespect toward women was unthinkable." These stories of the Goddess are reconstructed with an eye toward a legitimate Western European birthright that leaves behind arrogance, confronts the past honestly, and points the way to a grounded humbleness. According to Rogers, "The roots of tribal Europe are the collective unconscious as is true of all tribal societies. This is where wisdom, spirituality, and peace are woven together in a web of creativity that is both nature and divine." In this section, the Sacred Grove is the ring of Mother Trees watching over the saplings of the forest. This image becomes not only the model for human behavior, but also the wellspring of nourishment we need to create the foundations for peaceful coexistence. This coexistence extends to all humans, plants and animals, both seen an unseen. The journey ends where it began, seeking the source of mystery, solace, and wisdom; knowing that the way forward is also the way back home.

Sacred Grove is the third book of poetry by Rogers. Her other books include Landscapes of the Mind and In the Beginning: an Egg, a Mask, a Woman.