caleb westbrook

Caleb Westbrook is a writer and high school teacher with advanced degrees in both English and religion, and he lives with his wife and two children in the Kansas City area. In addition to Solum Journal, his poetry has been published or is forthcoming in Ekstasis, Vita Poetica, Nassau Review, and more; and his essays have been published online for Ekstasis and Dappled Things. His debut novel releases in late 2024 under the name Matthew Reed Williams.

In addition to reading and writing, Caleb enjoys traveling (his in-laws live in El Salvador where he met his wife), coffee, being outdoors, and spending time with his family. Read more at agreatrealplace.wordpress.com, and follow him at x.com/West_CalebJ.

the long defeat

I miss the brilliance of the garish

night sky, lights to heaven

and God shouting at me in whispers

between footfalls on the mountain

I miss the certainty I felt

when I flexed

miracle-wings from the

highest pinnacle of the world

I miss the terror of solitude, the arrogance

that we pilgrims guard the secret thoughts

the faith that we share the same fire

even if our mountains never touch

I miss the audacity of uncaring

while absolutely caring and feeling

every jot and tittle of truth

screaming through ephemeral veins

I miss the angel that I knew

but never saw and the journey

of giants that I followed

along sainted paths

I miss the every word

that was prophecy aflame

without doubt, without hesitation

without relinquishment

I miss the world as it never was

but strove to be

Read Caleb’s work and more in Solum Journal Volume V (forthcoming).