Alan Altany

 Dr. Alan Altany, originally from Sharon, Pennsylvania and now living in Florida, has B.A. and M.A. degrees in Catholic theology (St. John’s University, MN), and a Ph.D. in religious studies (University of Pittsburgh). Before his academic career as a college and university professor and director of professional faculty development, he worked as a high school and parish religious educator, factory and lawn maintenance worker, farm work, hotel clerk, as well as living through with and through alcoholism, drug addiction, and an anxiety disorder. He recently retired from teaching in college (Comparative Religions) and and to write poetry that nudges or enflames people towards God. He has also written two novels dealing with the spiritual quest and Christian mysticism.

As a young man, Alan was a published poet and also created and edited a small magazine of poetry entitled “The Beggar’s Bowl.” Now in his older age, he hopes the present time of his life is the most creative, original, and fruitful, as poet, person, and follower of Christ. He is writing a series of books of poetry with A Beautiful Absurdity being the initial collection. If God allows and guides it, Alan hopes for a series of 10 volumes. Alan’s writing is done with the always nearby companionship of his golden retriever, Zeke (meaning “God Strengthens”), whose life of love and play daily reminds Alan that love and bliss are our godly purpose and destiny.

Personal Update
On April 18, 2026, my beloved golden companion, Zeke, passed on after having epileptic seizures and an aggressive cancer for one year. He was only 6 years old and I miss him enormously and with startling grief, constant memories, and tears of silent lamentation. He was a manifestation of playfulness, wonder, and good-heartedness, a kind of furry guardian angel.

Most of all he was a loving, sweet boy who leaves a legacy of loyal, unrestricted love for his old daddy. Besides digging holes and chasing balls at his dog park (an intimation of heaven for him), and laying next to me, one of his favorite activities was greeting people with unbounded enthusiasm. He loved everyone and was a great teacher to me as a steadfast, living example of love completely filling each moment.

The upcoming book #5 in my series, “Christian poetry of the Sacred,” will be dedicated to this unique dog of a lifetime, my Zeke, an amazing grace of a blessing from our God, if only for a limited time. I am grateful to God for this pure gift, and to Zeke for being a canine poet of love, for being fully himself every moment of his life. My books of poetry were written with Zeke always nearby. Now part of my broken heart is missing as I resume writing, but I like to think that Zeke would want me to write every poem with raw honesty and simple, spontaneous love. May Zeke be in the heart of God from which he came.

Listen to the Forecast interview "Gritty Grace: Alan Altany and Pilgrimage," recorded on June 4, 2023. Click HERE.