This is Dean Hammer’s review of a new book edited by Arthur Laffin and Carole Sargent called Arise and Witness: Poems by Anne Montgomery, RSCJ.

Note: Sr. Anne Montgomery was a nonviolent witness in war zones in the Holy Land and Iraq, and endured years of imprisonment due to her involvement in Plowshares actions. Her poems are rooted in her love for accompanying the marginalized, borne out of her experience of religious life and community. Most of these poems, now published posthumously, provide unique and rich biblical insights into what it means to be human and a faithful follower of Jesus. This volume serves as both a powerful spiritual anchor and a source of inspiration for all who seek to be a radical witness of truth and hope. Drawing on her experience as a religious, teacher and peacemaker, Anne’s poetry offers powerful scriptural insights that can sustain people’s hope.

Thanks to the skillful and loving work by the editors of Arise and Witness, we are gifted witha posthumous memoir of Sr. Anne Montgomery: poet, mystic, and witness par excellence. While composing this review, I heard Anne’s voice from the heavenly realm protesting the lauding of her extraordinary life: “the story is not about me,” she insisted. Indeed, her story and poetry portray her hopefulness, undaunted by the chaos and violence of our world. Her theopoetic reflections invite us to share her connection with “the God who proclaims peace: the merciful, the advocate, the restorer” (71). Her narrative reveals a lived profession: “The light shone in the darkness and the darkness could not extinguish the light” (22).

In the prologue, Facing the Darkness, Anne cites Denise Levertov, a sage protest poet and mentor of peacemaking: “A voice from the dark called out, the poet must give us imagination of peace…peace, a presence, an energy field more intense than war.” Anne traveled to places of great suffering (Palestine, Iraq, Bosnia, Guantanamo, and various jails as prisoner of conscience) bearing witness to the Light, the mystical force peace and compassion. She “practiced resurrection” (Wendell Berry).

Walking with Anne for ten years during the Plowshares Eight action from the time of preparation (6/80) to our re-sentencing (4/90) after a decade of legal appeals) allowed me to experience her indomitable and yet vulnerable spirit. In my opening statement at the Plowshares Eight trial, I referenced Jesus’ court testimony when he engaged with Pilate: “For this I was born, and for this I have come into the world, to bear witness to the truth” (John: 18: 37). The same can be said of Sr. Anne Montgomery.  The newly published collection of her poems and faithful nonviolent resistance calls us into her mystical encounter with the Risen Christ (25) and her conviction that the unyielding hope of Bethlehem is everywhere (66). Her inspired poetry and remarkable example of peacemaking implores us to arise and witness as well.      

Anne’s life is an icon of reverencing the sacredness of life. Her unconditional devotion to protecting planet earth and all people (regardless of their diversity) is integral to her poetry, mysticism, and peace witness. She remains my special teacher and co-conspirator. Breathing together (the literal meaning of conspiracy) with Anne Montgomery is a precious gift, and I highly recommend it.

Passages from Impressions from the Prophets or GE. Re-entered                          

Sr. Anne Montgomery                                                                                                  

You Lord, set our feet on the way, In the dawn of your coming,

       A judgment as certain as the light of day

God’s word comes forth

    Like the ringing of bells

     The sounding of gongs,

  hammer on anvil

    swords into plowshares

    stoney hearts melted

               to the flesh

      turned like the sod of fresh-furrowed earth

                    to breathe new life

Our circle –

    a world made one

    a song in unison:

       “Forgive us, as we turn, sisters and brothers

         Thy will be done

                 On this earth

                    Your earth

                     Our earth

                    As sacred as heaven.”