Poetic Theory In Action

“It has come to my attention that perhaps I should mention some of the poetical/mystical aspects inherent in this collection of poetry designed to tamper with and thwart the monster we call suicide in our military and civilian populations, while at the same time, offering those who deal with PTSD on a regular basis, new tools to use on their spiritual journey.

              Some of my readers will be able to relate to the things implied or spoken about in FISHERS OF TROUT AND MEN: Protectors Of The Realm,  and others may need to reach a little further into their bag of tricks to get the subtle gist of many of these pieces. As we know, life is sometimes overwhelming and can weigh the mind down of even the strongest amongst those of us seeking insights and wisdom in this lifetime. The effort we make is proportional to the reward. Personally, I have found that following ‘The Fisher of Men’, to be the one I prefer. Please pardon another understatement.

              It will be quite obvious by even a casual glance into this collection that there is a smattering of eastern philosophy bandied about to add impact and honor a great tradition. My personal journey to ensure myself that each breath I took and every step made would put me closer to finding the answers I knew were hiding in plain sight, led me to walk many paths. I am a fortunate one, having been shown things felt by some and seen by very few. I suppose my analytical mind needed to feel like it had a say in how I went about verifying aspects of my existence and search for the keys to eternal life. I have always been a big fan of erring on the side of caution, so I indulged the left brain and proceeded by saying, left-right-left.

This life can be so incomprehensible that a sense of powerlessness may sometimes override the awesome potential and liberty we have to reach for and obtain higher states of being, thereby denying us the ability to open doors to subtler dimensions, a.k.a. Heaven. When one tries to ride this road to eternity using only the left brain, relying on the ‘supposed’ genius that is said to lurk in the human mind, worry, doubt, disillusion, hopelessness, anxiety, fear and things of this nature, can control the perception of everyday events. When our minds are subjected to this onslaught of killing energy, life ebbs and flows away at a faster pace. This is when some choose to withdraw, be cynical, depressed, oppressive, aggressive, negative, and or look for ways out of an apparent bad situation.

I have taken the liberty and used diverse tactics to bring things in the spiritual realm into your laps and minds. I happen to speak from experience and ‘know’ that what is hinted at and alluded to in this National Treasure can help heal hearts, minds and souls on a very subtle level, so subtle in fact, one might not even suspect that the Holy Spirit may be speaking through some of these poems to many  individuals who crack the covers, exposing themselves to truths hiding in plain sight.

              Using a cross between Japanese Haikus and Chinese Aphorisms, along with a heavy dose of Christian Mysticism, (I have possibly coined a new style, ‘Haikuisms’), allows me to speak of things that might seem obtuse, erratic, or too convoluted to be grasped at first reading, however, this also might paradoxically help ease some symptoms of trauma-related emotions by beginning to open paths to things that really matter, the health of our mind and spirit.

              It is my sincerest hope and desire that this book will help many on their secret journey. If by chance my chosen writing style confounds rather than expands, pass particular poems by like clouds in the sky. When you have time, further reading and contemplation may reward the patient observer.” …