Classical
Lyric Poetry Renaissance
Enter the world of traditional lyric poetry transcending time and place. I am Joseph Charles MacKenzie, a critically acclaimed, award winning, traditional lyric poet. I invite you to join me on a daring voyage of discovery in search of poetry that is meaningful, beautiful, and true: your poetic inheritance rediscovered and renewed! —Joseph Charles MacKenzie
Sonnets for the Queen of Heaven
The Mariological sequel to Sonnets for Christ the King, the Sonnets for the Queen of Heaven include an internal sequence of poems, one for each title of Mary evoked in the Litany of Loreto. The perfect gift for loved ones, these grand-manner masterpieces will be enjoyed by lovers of traditional poetry as by Catholic, and even non-Catholic, devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Sonnets for Christ the King
Critically acclaimed, the Sonnets for Christ the King, together with the collections sequel, Sonnets for the Queen of Heaven, mark a high point in the history of English sacred poetry. James Sale, emeritus Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (London), declared these poems “major poetry by a major poet.” These are a perfect gift for loved ones and those in need of healing, a stolen pleasure for yourself.
Sonnets for Christ the King – Audio Book
Voice performer Ian Russell, a northern English actor with experience in the performance of lyric verse, won Best Male Voice United Kingdom at London’s 2020 One Voice Awards subsequent to his recording of these poems. With his magnificent Received English, the gold standard of England’s most refined accents, Russell delivers a magical experience in this unique, keepsake recording.
Award Winning Traditional Lyric Poet
Joseph Charles MacKenzie
Traditional lyric poetry uses meter, rhyme, and euphony to carry the substance of words. As it engages our senses more fully, it opens the mind and heart to larger realms of meaning, satisfying our natural desire for truth and beauty in ways mere “self-expression” in prose cannot. Because its universal themes of love, death, and the transience of time underwrite the human experience, traditional lyric poetry is poetry without borders, transcending boundaries of time and place. To appreciate the great works of this sublime art, and to be moved by them, one has merely to possess a human soul.
“MacKenzie is as necessary to us as is air to a suffocating man…”
Dr. Joseph Salemi“You will be great.”
Ian Crichton Smith (1928-1998)“…major poetry by a major poet…”
James Sale
Elegy for a Scottish Queen
“The Dee is running rough and wild…”
On the Tenth Wedding Anniversary of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
“Sing out, my harp, this gladsome day…”
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to MacKenzie Magazine
Subscribe for the latest poems, videos, news and updates today. 100% free. Poetry that is beautiful, meaningful, and true.
MacKenzie recites classic British poetry from memory as well as his own classic poems. For information on how to book a performance, please see mackenziepoet.info. You may also query the poet directly at mackenziepoet@gmail.com.
Classical Lyric Poetry Renaissance
I am Joseph Charles MacKenzie, an award winning, critically acclaimed, traditional lyric poet. I invite you to rediscover and, yes, reclaim what seventy years of modernism have robbed you of: poetry that is meaningful, beautiful, and true.
—Joseph Charles MacKenzie
MacKenzie
The Sonnets
Enjoy MacKenzie’s Sonnets here:
Sonnets for the queen of heaven
The profoundly Mariological sequel to Sonnets for Christ the King, the Sonnets for the Queen of Heaven include an internal sequence of poems, one for each title of Mary evoked in the Litany of Loreto. The perfect gift for loved ones, these grand-manner masterpieces will be enjoyed by lovers of traditional poetry as by Catholic, and even non-Catholic, devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Sonnets for Christ The King
Critically acclaimed, the Sonnets for Christ the King, together with the collections sequel, Sonnets for the Queen of Heaven, mark a high point in the history of English sacred poetry. Dr. Joseph Salemi of New York University has described these poems as “a liturgically mediated conversation with God.” These are a perfect gift of healing and ascent for loved ones and for yourself.
Sonnets for Christ The King – Audio Book
Voice actor Ian Russell, a northern English actor with experience in the performance of lyric verse, won Best Voice United Kingdom at London’s 2020 One Voice Awards subsequent to his recording of these poems. With his magnificent Received English, the gold standard of England’s most refined accents, Russell delivers a magical experience in this unique recording.
Award Winning Traditional Lyric Poet
Joseph Charles MacKenzie
Given today’s socialist demonization of Western European humanism and culture, it is rare that a poet of Catholic inspiration, one writing in the grand manner of old, should receive the kind of attention MacKenzie continues to attract. Yet, this is not surprising. The human soul’s visceral yearning for truth and beauty is best satisfied by poetry responding directly to the deepest needs of heart and mind. This is the natural power of traditional lyric poetry.
“MacKenzie is as necessary to us as is air to a suffocating man…”
Dr. Joseph Salemi
New York University and Hunter College
“You will be great.”
Ian Crichton Smith (1928-1998)
Scottish Poet and Novelist
““…major poetry by a major poet…””
James Sale
Fellow of the Royal Academy of Arts
Appearances & Awards
MacKenzie Magazine
Videos
Sacred Heart
“Heart to hold sorrows when ours are too full…”
Elegy for a Scottish Queen
“The Dee is running rough and wild…”
On the Tenth Wedding Anniversary of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
“Sing out, my harp, this gladsome day…”
Subscribe
to MacKenzie Magazine
Subscribe for the latest poems, videos, news and updates today. Poetry that is beautiful, meaningful, and true.
MacKenzie recites classic British poetry from memory as well as his own classic poems. For information on how to book a performance, please see mackenziepoet.info. You may also query the poet directly at mackenziepoet@gmail.com.