Duane Haynes - The Award-Winning Non-Fiction Poet Reflects on a Near-Death Experience at 12 and the Purpose That Followed

Brainz Exclusive Interview

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Duane Haynes is an author and “FELLOW” of the inspirational poetry book To Flourish, God is the Light, We are its Spectrum. This inspirational poetry book is sold worldwide and is available in English, French, Spanish, eBook, and on an album. He has over 1,119,317 reviews of 5 Stars of Excellent and “Most Popular Book” by Trustpilot. Nominated "Best Nonfiction Inspirational Poetry Book in the World" and Nominated "Best Nonfiction Poetry Book in the World".

In this interview, Haynes shares reflections on his life, spiritual journey, and the divine inspiration behind his work. From a near-death experience at the age of twelve to becoming an internationally recognized inspirational poet, his story centers on faith, purpose, and conviction. At the heart of his mission is a calling he believes was given directly from God — a mandate to write, to share, and to guide others toward what he describes as “the way home.”

Duane Haynes

Who is Duane Haynes?

I was born in Denver, Colorado. I was born with a twin brother whose name was Darrell. I have two other brothers and a younger sister. I hold a BA in Technical Writing from the Metropolitan State College in Denver, Colorado.

Can you tell us about the key message in your book “TO FLOURISH, GOD IS THE LIGHT, WE ARE ITS SPECTRUM” and how it resonates with readers?

I don’t consider my poems and pairables a message but a gift from God to help readers find their pathway to realizing their purpose in life and the way home. The inspirational poems and pairables in my book help readers find their reason for their life here on earth and their purpose God has for them.

What inspired you to start writing at such a young age, and how has your journey shaped your work today?

At the age of 12, I had a life-threatening accident that placed me in a coma for about 3 days. When I came to, I realized that I had changed. I remembered being in a place I knew in my heart as Heaven.

“God showed me all of Heaven and Love. He then told me what I must do, and gave me a gift and said, ‘Go back into the world and give them this gift, tell them so that they can find their pathway to the way home."

About two months later, I began writing poems, and what I wrote confounded those close to me. The insight and depth in my writings were, to them, beyond my comprehension at such a young age. To some, my poems were prophecies and, to others, insights. For me, it was sharing of my gift.

I continued to write with a higher perspective and greater love for God. With my poems and pairables, I try to get readers to look at themselves and others through the eyes of God, hoping to make a change in their lives.

How do you describe your unique approach to writing and what makes your poetry stand out?

My writings are inspired and written in a unique way. I would go to sleep, and late at night I would wake up, write a poem, and go back to sleep. My poems and writings are inspired by God. Each poem was written to be given to someone to answer their prayers and to guide them during their trials and tribulations. God instructs me to put the poem in an envelope, and later He tells me who to give the poem to when that person is put in my path. Each person knew in some way that this was supposed to happen and accepted the poem with anticipation. It’s like they knew. I guess my poetry stands out because it’s supposed to.

Your works are often referred to as prophetic; how do you interpret this in relation to your mission?

Writing my poems and completing my part by giving them to the person that it was intended for, remembering what God told me.

“Go back to the world and tell them, so that they can find their pathway to the way home.”

Each poem was given to the person I believe God placed in my pathway, and I must stay obedient in God’s will.

Can you share a pivotal moment from your life that continues to influence your writing and personal philosophy?

Everyday God shows me new revelations and insights on life, purpose, prophecies, pairables, and poems. These are the gifts God has given me to use as a part of the body of Christ. Because I’ve been to Heaven and learned the way home, my poems and pairables can help others find their pathway to their way home.

How do you believe your experience, including your near-death experience, has shaped your spiritual and literary voice?

After meeting God and receiving His gift, I realized that it was a greater gift to actually meet and touch God in spirit, be shown Heaven, experience true love, and then be given the opportunity to come back and help others find their pathway to the way home. That is a gift in itself.

What role do you see your writings play in helping others understand the deeper aspects of life and the divine?

I believe my writings are inspired by God. These inspirational prophetic poems and pairables, when read by others, remind them that God knows what they are going through and gives them revelations and prophecies to help them. God reminds us that He has never forsaken us and shows us in my poetry. Too many times we feel God has forgotten us and lets us handle our problems on our own, forgetting who we are and whose we are. Then we believe that and feel lost with no identity or purpose in our lives and give up. Reading my inspirational poetry book To Flourish, God is the Light, We are its Spectrum helps readers find themselves, their purpose, and reminds them that God is always with them.

You’ve spoken at numerous schools and universities; how do you approach inspiring young writers through your lectures?

My lectures at schools and universities center around my statement, “What You Write Matters.” I believe that writers are gifted because everyone can’t be writers. I inspire writers to use their gift to write what is positive and true no matter what. Write to inspire others in hope, peace, and happiness. Writers can take an emotion, write it on paper, and the reader can get that same emotion out of it. That is the gift writers have. I tell writers to use their gift to help others see and experience life in a positive way.

Can you explain the impact your poetry and plays have on your audience and how it encourages personal growth?

My inspirational prophetic poems and pairables in my poetry book To Flourish, God is the Light, We are its Spectrumhave impacted audiences and readers around the world. I have over 1,119,317 reviews of Excellent and “Most Popular Book” by Trustpilot. My book is available in English, French, Spanish, paperback, audiobooks, eBooks, and on an album [To Flourish]. The impact of these poems is expressed worldwide in positive ways. My inspirational poetry book has been nominated “Best Nonfiction Inspirational Poetry Book in the World” and nominated “Best Nonfiction Poetry Book in the World” and listed in “1000 Leaders of World Influence” by International Biographical Centre in Cambridge, England. Readers have found answers to their prayers and helped them find purpose, meaning, fulfillment, and God’s purpose for them in their lives. My plays give audiences the experience of the life of Christ and God’s greatness. My performances and presentations of my poetry at programs and functions leave audiences in “aha” and are overwhelmed by the revelations and insights revealed to them.

What advice would you give to inspiring writers looking to connect their work with deeper spiritual meaning?

My advice to inspiring writers is to use your gifts to encourage others to be the best that they can be with faith and hope. Seek and write the truth using the gifts given to you by God in poetry, prose, plays, novels, songs, etc. Leave your readers with encouragement, hope, peace, a feeling of belonging in believing better of themselves by knowing there is a purpose for their lives and knowing that God is with them always.

How can your teaching and writing help individuals and communities experience greater awareness and transformation?

My inspirational prophetic poems and pairables inspired by God give readers and communities hope in knowing that God is in control and putting their trust in Him. My writings inspire readers to not give up because God has not given up on them no matter what. Your best days are not behind you but in front of you, and they are yet to come. Be who God wants you to be and do. For when two or more are gathered in His name, He will be with us all.

Through unwavering faith and a clearly defined spiritual mission, Duane Haynes continues to present his poetry as both testimony and guidance. His words, rooted in what he describes as divine revelation, aim to offer reassurance, identity, and purpose to readers worldwide. In his perspective, writing is not merely an art form — it is obedience, service, and a pathway toward transformation.

To Flourish, God is the Light, We are its Spectrum is available internationally in English, French, and Spanish, as well as in eBook, audiobook, paperback, and album format.

For further information, visit the official website: www.TOFLOURISHDH.COM

The book is also available via: Amazon.com

The companion album, To Flourish, is available for download through the official website and major online platforms.