Sometimes a Wild God - the book

Someday I might be able to explain the tears in my eyes and the ache in my throat. Maybe I shouldn't try. I think I'll just read it again and again.

I'm not very techno- it's late at night and I haven't a photo of me with my Sometimes a Wild God book so I'm sending one of my drawings that might distantly relate to this wonderful wonderful poem first read to me by the Scribe of my Druid Order around a fire in NZ under starlight- so inspired me I bought my beautiful copy- tore open the parcel when it arrived and needed no direction to read aloud- read aloud to my children as we drove late for speech & drama lessons- told by my children to stop shouting and watch the road. Tom and Rima you have given me back my god.

Beautiful, magical books. The Wild God in particular creeps under your skin & creates mystery within. I've already bought more copies & passed them on as gifts. There's a whole sensory experience to be had from the size & texture of the books themselves as well. Wonderful!

Sometimes a Wild God is up on our wall in our kitchen - because that is where we gather the most and where we have friends and family come in to be together with us. I like that everyone can see and read this most beautiful poem! Everyone comments on it - it is very deeply felt by many. I also give the small book away to all my friends - many copies going out this Yuletime - thank you! And then, the Yule calendar! On our Nature table, again, for all to EnJOY. Thank you both so much, your works have enriched our lives.

I love this poem so much. I have it in my bag and I sent one to my sister and she is sending it to all her friends. Something connective, something rich and deep as loam. Thank you for the magic of it. Photo is me at the Minack Theatre a few weeks ago.

Sometimes A Wild God landed into my hands, and thudded into my heart, via a friend. It stirred me so deeply, touching the darkness of grief for the ecological crisis and stirring joy and elation for the beauty of life. This coincided with hearing about Extinction Rebellion, and in synthesis with many other things has led me to partaking in non-violent direct actions to highlight political innaction in the face of a climate emergency (with poem in pocket). A powerful poem for powerful times. For this I am deeply grateful.

This powerful little poem book was given to me and I loved it so much I gifted another copy to a friend!

From the moment the book arrived I have been captivated. I have not had the experience of falling for something so quickly as the poem which will stay with me for life. Sometimes a Wild God, is a unique find, an obscure revelation, a true treasure and I know will be one of the best things I ever memorize!

Thank you for this configuration of words, Tom. I also figured the Wild God would enjoy being amongst my coneflowers.

The verse in this book is so powerful I have yet to find the words to describe its effect on me and I’m a poet! Pure magic!!!! Thank you Tom and Rima!!! I’ve invited the Wild God back to my table....

This poem is just STUNNING, and its packaging in this small, perfect book with its evocative illustrations is just lovely. I am so happy to own this, and I will certainly be gifting copies to friends in the future! I happened to receive this package minutes after a friend brought me a bag of coffee. It turns out, the dark roast complemented the poem nicely;).

I've always loved this poem and having printed it off and keeping it on a sheet did not do it justice. Having this sweetly produced book with Rima's amazing images makes it perfect. Recommend it highly!

A very touching poem that spoke to something old inside of me. I especially liked the format and the touch of the paper. Wonder why I haven't ordered more copies to spread it among friends

This book is wonderful read out loud. Such a treat!!

Delightful little book, which arrived very promptly.

Lovely little book,puts you right back into the wild,which is refreshing to the Soul. It's more than a book it's a work of art and something to cherish in the years to come and to share with my Grandchildren.

Oh have this book in your home, give it to your friends, and foes. Frame the poster of it and hang it in halls. It is a raw velvet voice from inside your bones, shaking and rattling and comforting to the core.

A wonderful little book. I look forward to my next purchase

Efficient service and a wonderful copy to treasure. Very pleased.

Sorry, don't have a smart phone so no photo! I know....some people are a bit behind! I love this little book, it felt like Christmas when it plopped through my door. I have it here and I really like the feel of the paper. I took it to my writing group and when I passed it around people oohed and aahed over the drawings. I have just re-read it, and I want to read it to the group if there's time this Saturday. I will be ordering more...just low on cash at the moment. I did write about our group's intention to have a festival of words and writing this September, wondering if you might agree to be involved, and asking how much you would charge if you were free, l treasure.but don't know if you ever got the email. I'm not sure which one to use, think it was the official one for bookings. Thank you for making such lovely things as this little book, which I shall treasure.

A beautiful, powerful poem.

Wonderful poem! It was read to me on a training course recently and it really spoke to me. I bought a copy for myself and a work colleague. The books arrived well packaged and in pristine condition. The feel and texture of the paper is fab and enhances the reading experience.

One of my favorite poems, beautifully rendered.

This little book was given to me by a dear friend at Christmas, and I loved it. So when I needed a little present for some other dear friends, I bought this copy; and they loved it too.

These little palm sized books are reminiscent of the books that were hand printed long ago. There is a bit of fond nostalgia that one experiences when reading them. They are beautifully crafted and the story writing is uniquely enchanting.

I have bought this copy for my brother after purchasing one for myself. Love everything about it the paper and the illustrations. The poem itself is magical, disturbing and wonderful. I listened to the audio on your site, Tom has a wonderful voice and really brings the poem to life.

I can't take a picture of the beautiful little book, because I gave it to a friend who was retiring from an organization I am part of. Our mission is to protect wild places in the Northeastern United States, and preserve them as "Forever Wild'. We do this for the Earth herself, for the wildlife, for connectivity, for helping mitigate climate change, and, because humans also need clean air and water, for us as well, (even though we are the cause of this mess the world is in). Originally I joined this group because of my own spiritual values, and because I have long been a fan of the wild within me. "Sometimes a Wild God" spoke directly to me, and having gifted it to my friend, I know that he loves it too. He was a founding member of the organization, and has often spoken of "sitting around a fire with some fermented beverages, speaking of wild things....". These days we don't sit around a campfire nearly enough; rather we spend most of our group time sitting around a table, making phone calls, raising money, etc. It's good work, though, and doing it with like-minded people makes all the difference. I am an artist, constantly searching for a way to integrate my connection to the earth with my art. It sounds like it should be obvious, but because my process is to paint my inner feelings not the outer world, this is always a challenge. Everything occasionally becomes so connected that often I cannot differentiate who I am from what I do. Enough of this. Thank you for "Sometimes A Wild God". One of these days I'll order one for myself. In the meantime, I have the text, and it is on the bulletin board in my studio, along with other images and words that inspire me. ~CC White PS Here's one of the quotes sharing space on my bulletin board: "Consciously, I walk the tightrope of discipline and accident...Unconsciously, I make my mark on the canvas." ~Fritz Scholder, Native American Artist

I absolutely LOVE this poem. It's beautiful and powerfully evocative. I used to go online (where I first encountered it) to read the poem to folks, but when I saw it was available as a chapbook, I decided instead to share it by buying extra copies to give to like-minded friends.

This was a charming little treasure to hold in my hands in the wilds of Austin Texas. Made me feel connected to something deeper, older. Many thanks. I am enchanted!

Beautiful book. Love Tom’s writing. I was lucky enough to be gifted the 4 books for Christmas.

I like to curl up and read this on a stormy Shetland night, when the house shakes and the wind roars. It's like meeting an old friend. There is some comfort in the act however creeping round the edges a faint trace of unease. Thank you for the rich sharing of your word smithery.

This is one of my favorite poems. I’m taking the next few months to commit it to memory. I’m also giving both copies I ordered to special people in my life this solstice.

This is the most powerful writing. It is dangerous. I am exhilarated and disturbed in equal measure. This echoes the reality of the Great Spirit, the God, that encounter and am ever drawn to with eternal longing. Wonderful writing. Thank you

Reading Sometimes a Wild God was a powerful experience; I knew I wanted to have a copy of it. This beautiful little book with Rima's art was just perfect.

This is a wonderful poem and it feels so magical to have a copy in my home .

I love this little book and the message it carries. It’s beautifully made but will eventually become soft and worn as are all my well-loved books. And friends.

I love this poem its very dramatic, not sure I understand it all but that doesn't matter. I heard Tom Hirons speak it on your site and every time I read it, it brings back his voice. Also love the edition which matches the two other books I own.

I read this poem online via a friend's post and was so taken by it that I was straight to the website to purchase. At that point I had not even considered how it would be presented. So my delight was multiplied by the wonderful illustrations and the feel of the paper. Love it so much :)

What a truly lovely book! Thank you

The presentation is modest but the content is not.Powerful and memorable

I love this little book, an uncommon treasure. Beautiful words with beautiful illustrations.

Sometimes a Wild God is my go to poem for quotes that bring me right up against the disconnect between the given culture and our wild selves / the indigenous and natural world. I read it out loud on my radio show in an interview with Tom Cowan and it made him gasp at one point. Enough said, really.

I really loved this beautiful poem. It brought back childhood experiences and I felt I had also met this God many many years ago in a dark Northern wood. The illustrations complimented the poem.

I'm in love! I want to read it aloud in the dark with friends...

This is a wonderful Poem, presented in a beautiful and heartfelt manner. This is a piece of art that calls to be shared and spread to those who have met with the wild god in their own ways.

These are almost like handmade books (perhaps they are handmade!). The small format makes them easy to tuck into a pocket to read in the field. As a self-published writer myself, I love to see other writers take command of the process and get their work directly to readers.

Let's address two things... The Poem and The Physical Book. The Poem: There is a reason why I ordered 7 copies. This piece of work touched me very deeply and I bought extra copies for my siblings. It struck my on several levels. One from a personal spiritual place and two, because I am a man who is 56 years old and sometimes "wonders how I got so old and where my passions went". Mr. Hiron's work has indeed, "Brought the Dead Back to Life". The Book: Ms. Staines illustrations are beautiful and very much a part of the experience. I would strongly suggest that one takes the time to look at them closely. I am in love with her artwork. The book itself is well constructed, well printed. It makes a fine gift and an even finer little book to place by one's bedside. I made a personal commitment to myself to memorize this poem... and my 56 year old powers of memorization are not so good these days. It is worth the effort. My only regret? That I do not live in England so that I can find their caravan and listen to their stories being told as they should be.

Simply beautiful. Deep soul food of words and images. Gorgeously produced. Makes me smile. Thank you.

I love this book and have bought a few for friends as gifts. Stunning poetry, evocative, challenging, truly inspirational

The book and the illustrations are beautifully made, the poem is simply stunning. Thanks!

This book came in excellent condition, well packed for it's journey across the pond. It's beautiful and a very textile experience. I am familiar enough with the content but the size, page quality, art and everything just adds to a wonderful reading experience. If you enjoy collecting beautiful poetry books to read this is the book for you.

I am always a bit hesitant when I place an international order, but I HAD to have a copy of SOMETIMES A WILD GOD by Tom Hirons! Hedgespoken fulfilled my order in a timely fashion and my book arrived safe and sound! Thank you! <3

I love this little book, each page gives me pause. To wonder about the beautiful of the text and illustrations. The book is beautifully printed. Small enough to slip in a coat pocket, to steal out and read for a minute, to give you comfort on a long day.

I ordered it, sure. But it was still a pleasant surprise when a small package showed up in my post office box. An envelope really, it felt more substantial than it's size. Two small books came out of the envelope, and a couple of cards & a note. This package was exactly what I was hoping for. My ideal is a book that is condensed down. Wisdom captured with fewer words. I spend a lot of time away from walls & vehicles, with a pack on my back, and so I'm careful what books I throw in my pack. Both books were written by Tom Hirons, with artwork by Rima Staines. They are beautifully designed; small gifts from another place. I wish I knew more about the place where these books came from, but that just leaves more to my imagination. One book is a poem: Sometimes a Wild God, and the other is a poetic account of subsisting for a year on nettles, among other things. That one is called Nettle-Eater. I saw a brief mention of these books passing through my twitter feed, and I took a chance and ordered them. I'm glad I did. These are books for tossing in a pack when you head out for a day or even a couple of nights. Tom & Rima's work says something to me. Something of the wild, something of the magic that living in their world bestows upon us. I can tell you that I'll treasure these small books. On a warm spring day at my campsite in Sequoia National Park, and future days at other campsites. Do yourself a wild favor: order both of these books. They'll be good for you.

'Sometimes...' really shook me up at a moment when life was feeling mundane. The recording of Tom Hirons reading the poem on YouTube is well worth the listen, too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5lJnbB4woQ

Well-made and beautifully written, I cherish my Hedgespoken book! Highly recommended - what's not to love?

Thank you for this wonderful tale! Beautifully done!

A little bit of magic.

I bought this for a dear dear man who Is journeying in a hard and dark place. It was the first offering to break through to him in a long time. He says it’s good, which from him is the highest praise. It is becoming part of the slow-made fabric of a life. These are words of power.

Read "Sometimes a Wild God" for Good Friday service last night. Some love it, some were a bit bamboozled. But it's OPK to be discombobulated on Good Friday. Thank you for this beautiful poem and illustrations.

Perfect birthday present for a dear friend!

Sometimes a Wild God I love this poem!!! It speaks to me on many levels and I plan to buy more for gifts!

Moving This, on the surface, is a fast read. Then read it again slowly. Then read it slower still and find a complex story with chapters that change with each moment. Oh, and the illustrations are phenomenal!

Really extraordinary Smoky, unsettling, and a perfect antidote to city life.

Beautiful Sometimes, A wild god enters your home, unannounced, and whispers of his existence in a dream. Sometimes, you'll have to pick up the poem that tells about him, not because you felt compelled by magic to do so, but because it is beautifully written, illustrated, and will be a cherished keepsake. It's pocket sized, so you can take its wisdom anywhere. Do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. =)

I could get lost in this poem. Tbh, I don't read much poetry or highbrow fiction, I'm more of a popularist fan. But this poem really fascinated me when someone introduced us and I bought two copies of the beautiful book, one for me and one to introduce another to the wild god. Thank you.

An achingly beautiful poem Imagine my surprise when an old friend, a Lakota Sioux Elder read the poem to me at a Men's gathering a few weeks ago. I told him I knew Tom Hirons and we were blown away by the synchronicity.

Sometimes a Wild God This poem is one of the most moving poems I've ever read. A magnificent piece of work that for me addresses fundamental issues of who we are in our "civilized world" and warns perhaps of the cost of forgetting the Wild God inside of me.

Sometimes a Wild God I love this little book. It.sits next to me and my favorite chair. It's like where the wild things are and little bear if they had a baby. My favorites of childhood. Wild God is my favorite grown up book. Thank you. Emily Bolander

Excellent! Very good on all levels

Phenomenal, powerful, beautiful and real. A poem for the people and for the ages.

Undecided I love this poem, and the illustrations. The book is beautifully presented. So why have I given it four instead of five stars ? I think, because I am not quite sure I fully understand it. There is something elusive about it. But then again, that is my problem, and also why it appeals to me so much ! Excuse me,I'm just going to read it again.

My new favourite poem A friend found this book read by its author on YouTube and I instantly had a connection with it. Its now on my mantle piece below the framed poster of it , pride of place in my home. I am always sharing this with friends and family and everyone loves it as much of me. A huge thanks to Tim Hiron and Rima Staines for sharing this with the world.

Beautiful Poem An absolutely gorgeous poem that mixes old and new concepts and surrounding and carries you along on the wild trip along with the main character. Love it.

A little pretentious Excellent, best when read aloud.

Excellent service , magical poem This little book is beautifully presented and the tale makes me laugh , cry and think deeply.

poem Very nice little volumn, with good woodcuts illustrating a wonderfully surreal poem. Just the right size and handy to slip inside the birthday card to a pagan friend.

A powerful, moving poem and beautifully illustrated too This is a beautiful little publication containing a powerful, moving and visceral poem. The illustrations add something special too. I'm very grateful to Tom and Rima for producing this. Thanks you.

Sometimes A Wild God I loved this book! I had read the poem online and was very happy I could order it in print form. Great illustrations too; a treasure from a small, independant press.

Sometimes a wild God An amazing poem with wonderful art work. It mad a good escape after a lond day.

Sometimes a Wild God To say that I "liked" it (said poem) would be an understatement. I've wondered what I could possibly write here, so I'll simply repeat what I said to a friend to whom I gave the second copy I ordered: "I'm not a religious person. Not at all. But if anything were to describe what constitutes for me a sense of the spiritual, then this poem encapsulates it."

sometimes a wild god I loved this book, it touched me with the pain of recognition and a yearning for this wild connection. It reminded me that it’s there and nature can meet me in it’s rawness, in my rawness. So I bought six and gave them away at christmas Thank you.

Sometimes a Wild God - the book Beautiful book, I bought some copies as Christmas gifts, such a treasure contained in a small brown book.

Beautifully produced ittle book. Lovely paper,  Amazing illustration & achingly beautiful  poem. 

Sometimes A Wild God This poem speaks to the wildness within us - it shocks and surprises, but most of all lures us into the wilderness to become part of it and make us yearn for it. I find this poem fabulous and fantastic.

Sometimes a Wild God The Wild God is delightful and mysterious. It raises joy from broken hearts and promises to come back..though when, we know not. Thank you Tom and Rima, I shall come back to this book again and again..

Beautiful, as always! I truly love the poem, "Sometimes A Wild God", and having it in book, as well as poster form is perfect! Currently looking for a picture framer to do this lovely poster justice..thank you so very much for the beauty you bring into the world!!

I thought i was getting a book of poetry I ordered this book because I love the poem, sometimes a wild god. How cool, whoever wrote that probably wrote a bunch of other stuff I'd enjoy! To my surprise the book was comprised of only the one poem. Still very sweet, with nice illustrations, delivered in a very timely fashion.

A Wild God Kissed my Eyes This poem, and the way it has been illustrated and made into a book, is a small and ravishing delight. Reminding us of what we are (part of the great beast that is the Earth) and of what we have forgotten (our own sweet wildness) although it is written by, and perhaps for, a man - this woman found it moving and enlivening and that it speaks to her own anima/animal. I love this poem. So I read it out loud to my love, and I bought another copy for my adult son for christmas, and it made my sister cry, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. Buy this beautiful poem and read it over and over, and just maybe the Wild God might arrive at your door.

Sometimes a Wild God I bought this as a Christmas gift for a friend. Her thank you note says: 'I keep reading that poetry book - it's really touched me somehow.' I now need to buy my own....

Warm service Quick, kind, warm -- the whole process felt like I was ordering from good friends. Thank you!

It is so good I am now buying for friends Last year I bought a copy of this amazing little book. This year I have bought two more copies so my best friends can share the magic

When A Wild God visits I've just bought my 3rd copy of this lovely little poem/book to give as Yule gifts......it's been very well received, in face one recipient in the UK has plans to attend some of the shows put on by this group of very talented folk.

Just what I anticipated I am very thrilled to have this piece of work in my hands to read and remind me anytime, anywhere. I look forward to future stories from Tom Hirons and will forever admire the artworks of Rima Staines. A match made in the cosmos well before we awoke.

Sometimes A Wild God Inspiring work.

A Wild God Fantastic! Love it! Will be buying more for friends.

Beautiful poem in nice little book and poster A beautiful poem, which speaks to a very deep layer of the psyche. The illustrations are wonderful, and completely in accordance with the text. The book itself is as essential as the text and illustration - nothing fancy but honest and winsome. I gave several friends a copy, and they all love it.

Yumminess This is such a lovely book. I think I bought 5 last year, and another 4 this year. And you folks are a delight to engage with. Thank you so much for all that you are

Sometimes a Wild God This little book is overflowing with an immensity of poetry. The words and images bust out of the pages and grab hold of you. The "wild god" who visits brings life. Let him in.

Deep masculine This is the deep masculine calling. A wonderful, strange adventure into the wilderness. Read it and be changed.