Title: Without a Prayer by Scott McConnaha

Publisher: Rockwood Press 2025

Language: English

Format: Softcover, 40 pages

Genre: Poetry

ISBN: 978-1-59498-197-5

Reviewed by: Christy Hoff

Internal, external, and eternal questions

Without a Prayer presents a dichotomy of the world view against personal experiences. Throughout the work we see McConnaha revealing difficult situations that are ignored or unacknowledged by the world passing by. Meanwhile, a thread of choice weaves the tale of his personal struggle with faith.

McConnaha’s poetry is well crafted reflection on struggles we all have: cancer, tragedy, childhood experiences, and hope. Each element builds a question that we must answer for ourselves, what do I believe?

This compilation is best exemplified in the verse from A Poet Saved the World (pg. 8):

“Touched and a bit embarrassed,

the poet shrank and explained,

I was only trying

to save myself.”

In Temptation (pg. 16), McConnaha calls to my own poet’s mind. So often we are looking for a way to avoid a difficult conversation or event. It is easy to be distracted by the beauty in the world, but we must take it in and make it part of us. As they say, duty calls. Regret calls loudly in this piece while using humor as an excuse to do the right thing.

“So tempting to leave it all

in the car and disappear

into the secret shroud of trees

who expect                nothing.

And I’d have gone, too,

had I not worn my nice shoes.”