Divine Nature

Can the character and nature of the Trinity-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit-truly be perceived in the created world, as Romans 1:20 suggests?

This collection of 35 original sonnets grew out of the poet's challenge to seek and record signs of God's divine nature in flora, fauna, seasons, and elements. From the rhythm of cicadas, crickets, and tree frogs to the barred owl's baritone call, from retreats into woods and ocean away from the daily hustle to the struggle with domestic settings, each sonnet became an act of attention-an effort to recognize how encounters with nature, no matter where the poet was, mirror encounters with God.

Guided by Mary Oliver's A Poetry Handbook, Sara Oyela embraced the discipline of metrical verse, pairing poetic craft with a practice of engaging with nature, observing, and writing. The book unfolds in two parts: the first presents the sonnets alongside original, full-color images; the second offers prose notes that illuminate the spiritual and emotional journey behind each poem-touching on a variety of topics such as identity, the reality of God, spiritual disciplines, pursuit, death, grief, joy, parenthood, marriage, and beauty.

Divine Nature: Sonnets is a book for those who enjoy reading poetry, engaging with nature, and for those who want to grow in their relationship with God.