Two Papers

I'm starting to think that the two papers I have here actually have less to do with each other than I originally thought. My initial plan was to make the conference paper a section of my thesis paper. I equated "Generative tension . . ." with "Mary Oliver and Christian Spirituality." And I imagined that the second of those would be a longer version of the first which would remain essentially intact as the core of the essay. But now I'm thinking that the two purposes/audiences I'm aiming for are different enough to warrant two more separate papers, dealing even with some different poems. There will be some overlap, I'm sure, but I don't see that one organization for the two papers will work. So here's how they might look different:

Generative Tension between “God” and “Earth” in Mary Oliver’s Thirst

• Introduction--her recent book Thirst introduces into her poetry for the first time orthodox Christian themes which introduces also a generative spiritual tension . . .
  
• Generative Tension--using temporary binaries?
  
• Loving "Earth"--Nature, the body, neighbors | being gentle and joyous and kind | grieving
  
• Loving "God"--kataphatic spiritual practices such as church and scripture and kindness | sense of gratitude and obedience | desire for the apophatic side of God
  
• Sustaining Tension as a Spiritual Practice--she works up a tension through reflection and writing | she hopes that this will make her better
  

Mary Oliver and Christian Spirituality

• Introduction--her recent book Thirst introduces into her poetry for the first time orthodox Christian themes
• Earlier Poetry / Criticism to Date
• The Christian Spirituality of the Desert Fathers and Mothers
• Orthodox Spiritual Practices and Values
  
• Jesus and the Apophatic God

I'd still probably argue that "Mary Oliver and Christian Spirituality" does in effect boil down to "Generative Tension between 'God' and 'Earth' in Mary Oliver’s Thirst," but for the sake of writing things out into essays, I think that two different pieces with two different angles might be the best way to go. The first of these two essays would be a specific exploration of a particular dynamic of the Christian spirituality in her work written for an audience with particular agreed on understandings of spirituality. That essay would have an important methodological emphasis. The second essay would be a broader essay about Christian spirituality in her work written for a broader audience with a less specific methdological focus. The first one would say "here is what she is doing"; and the second "here are some themes." Something like that.