Without a Prayer

Poetry pushes readers to pause for a closer look at life. It is an invitation to encounter the ordinary and extraordinary with wonder, awe, and sometimes even a little humorous irreverence. The poems in this debut collection by Scott McConnaha do just that. Whether it be the celebration of simple pleasures, the crimes of childhood, longing for change, living through loss, or even challenging the faith that seemed so certain just a short time ago, McConnaha’s poignantly gripping poems call us to be fully attentive to all that life brings and to accept that some questions may never be answered.

Scott McConnaha’s poems are reflective of the many directions life has taken him. Now living in Wisconsin, he grew up on the Great Plains of Nebraska, served as a U.S. Army infantryman, studied in the seminary, taught high school English and Spanish, was a reporter and editor, healthcare mission leader, and ultimately became the CEO of a health system overseeing hospitals and nursing homes. He and his wife, Colleen, have four children and two grandchildren. His articles, essays, and poems have appeared in numerous publications.