Poetry Books

Tramp for the lord is an eye opener for you to look at where you are, where you have been and where you are going. A good read for those moving through life and a must read for those that want to celebrate life to it's fullest.

If you read this book you will NEVER forget it. Such wonderful testimony to the miracles that the Lord is still doing in the world. I highly recommend it. It's a real page turner.

Tramp for the Lord is ONE of the most rewarding books I have ever read in my life. Everyone should read this book. She too was a human who sinned and came short of the glory of God. Corrie shares so much of her heart and life - not only because of her experiences in prison, but in every day life as she traveled the United States and to other countries to share God's work. As she experienced real life situations with ordinary people, that grew her daily in her walk with God, because as Paul learned, God's work was not easy. It was those situations that she shared in "Tramp for the Lord" that she was also growing with each situation she faced as Paul did as he continued in his day discipling for God. Corrie's book, "Tramp for the Lord," is a must read after "the Hiding Place" and will be hard to put down.

This book is a sequel to "The Hiding Place" a biography about Corrie Ten Boom's experience during World War II, arrested and sent to a German concentration camp for hiding Jews.

Corrie surrenders to God's Will for her life to take the Gospel and her story to the entire world. Because of her humbleness, she is able to connect to people from all walks of life, from royalty to prisoners. She was especially able to connect with prisoners who were hopeless because of her own experience of being locked up.

It was easy for her to minister to the victims of WWII, but Corrie resisted going back to Germany, the land that she dreaded. But she obeys and goes to Germany where she meets one of her former prison guards, one of the cruelest, walking up to her after a meeting. A chill grips her heart and bitterness wells up when he asks for her forgiveness. Leaning on the power of the Holy Spirit, she was able to forgive her enemy and found God's love overflowing.

Each chapter is a story and devotional about a situation Corrie encounters. My favorite one is, "I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go, Dear Lord... but Not Up Ten Flights of Stairs."

An excerpt of this book might say it all (from Chapter 5)...

"A great ocean separated me from my homeland. I had no money. Nobody wanted to hear my lectures. All I had was an inner word from God that He was guiding me. Was it enough? All I could do was press on--and on--and on--for His Name's sake. Before going to sleep I opened my Bible, my constant companion. My eyes fell on a verse from the Psalms, "The Lord taketh pleasure...in those that hope in His mercy" (147:11). It was a thin web--a tiny filament--stretching from heaven to my little room on 190th Street in New York. I fell asleep holding on to it with all my strength."

Oh, what a joy to learn that God is for us and not against us! I highly recommend this book.

M. Rose Barkley's poems speak with an intense rhythm. Her truths are direct and real; the music of this poetry carries forward straight to the soul. Sometimes we are brought to a new place with repeated lines, "I sit thinking/Blinking memories/of You/Blinking/Past images of you." Sometimes we are moved by single syllable beats, "Bird song/sing bird/as you melt/My soul away from this." And often Ms. Barkley brings us the excitement of a multi-syllabic rhythm, "Staring@ a 90 degree angle's impression/of the torchiere's light thrust upward/upon the green walls/like a horizontal sunrise bursting..." Singing with this virtuosic sense of rhythm, Ms. Barkley's brings her messages straight to us...messages of her search for herself, her identity as a black woman, her sense of who she is and her desire to right social injustice. Some of these poems are exhortations in the style of Lucille Clifton, "Go young children/and learn/Seek out/those things/which make your spirits/burn/Just go/Learn." And "Black Girl/Why is color/on your mind." Some are chants. I would love to hear the poet say this one, "I can squeeze/on a dollar/'til the joker drip/green/ If I gotta make it/holler-/Yeah, you know/what I mean." That poem is hollering to be heard.

I found that I could relate to many of her poems. You can't help but be completely taken in by the strength in the messages that come across in each of her passages. I look forward to her next collection of masterpieces.

After coming across this wonderful book by happenstance, I am totally moved by the verse and spirits contained within it. I have read it several times, and was very pleasantly surprised that there was available, an audio version of it! Spoken by the author, no less! What a treat! As I spend a lot of time driving, I have listened to Ms. Barkley's spoken words, dozens of times. And each time I do, I feel a refreshment of my spirit and soul... absolutely wonderous. I recently viewed a short film produced by Ms. Barkley, titled "In View of a Cup Half-Full", based on the poem "Spiral Pillar". It was absolutely gripping visually, spiritually, rhythmically, and overall just reached out and grabbed you. I wanted to immediately watch it again and again, just to feel the power envelope me, inspiring me to aspire higher... Ms. Barkley's works are truly of the spirit. I can't wait, to experience her next creative composition. I would highly recommend any and all of her work to everyone. Experience it with an open heart... you'll be glad you did.

WAYFAIRING STRANGER is a powerful, beautiful work of art. Honest, lyrical, rhythmic, touching...it glows with the real.

From "Literary Cog" (one of my personal favorites):

"still/ must the poet seek/ to find and identify/ that which she sees/ and that which she knows/ instinctively/ to be unyieldingly indifferent/ to rhyme or reason/ for more than/ an instant/ in time/ on paper"

True indeed.

-Joshua Ortega, February 2000

I got this 'piece of art' the 25th. of December 1999.(yep, Christmas Day)
The minute I started to read I was sold.
I was touched in a very special way. Straight in the heart.
I'm a black guy from Holland and I didn't understand everything at once,
but I believe that every black man should own a copy of this piece of black gold.
I believe the words in this book are very strong and very true.
It gives me peace of mind in times when my live gets crazy.
It helps me to put my life back into perspective.

Thank you Rose Barkley

Although the thoughts are a bit strange and outlandish, this book will make everyone laugh and recall their childhood questions and thoughts. For children and adults, ages 3 to 103, this will quickly become your favorite. Pick up a copy and see for yourself.

This book is hilarious. LW Lewis out shines any other childrens poet writer. Every poem on every page is knee slapping hilarious. Every teacher should read a poem a day to their class. They would become the coolest teacher. EVerytime we finish our work early we all sit quietly in hopes that our teacher will read us a poem. Some of them have a lesson within the funny story.

If you are a kid who is always is blue and have no good humour then you are going to want to read this book.There is a lot of a funny poems in this book and you'll go nuts to read them again so aftrer yuo read this you will go nuts.

We are two fifth grade girls from Waccamaw Elem. L.W Lewis came to our school and read some of his poems we think he is a superb author and that everyone should read his wonderous poem book called "Why Do Flies Eat Doggy Poop?" and "Poodles,tigers,monsters and you"!!!! sit back relax and read a few poems by L.W.Lewis ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This book is so good you will laugh your pants off. Litterally! Parents think that this book is bad but really it has some good teaching poems that rock out loud. Some are serious and they also have morals. L.W Lewis is one of the best poem writer that has ever came to our school. All Mr.Lewis wants to do is make people laugh. You should read his book sometime!

This is a deeply personal, moving account of one man coming to terms with his wife's illness and her eventual death. His poetry is deeply affecting, beautiful, and poignant. I highly recommend this for anyone.

This book is considered to be one of the greatest poetic accomplishments in American history. Read it with a box of tissues.

I heard Donald Hall read passages of Whitman's Leaves of Grass at the 2005 National Book Festival on the Mall in DC. I knew nothing of him, his work, or his love of Jane Kenyon. I did know his voice rang true to the soul I possess. I can still here his voice over the sound of helicopter blades that plagued the readings in each tent. Compelled to read his work I finally gave into the need to buy one of his works and so I bought three.

"Without" is a journey of loss. Each poem is a step during the journey of Jane Kenyon's illness, passing, and Donald Hall's experience of loss. His pain, confusion, and helplessness are mirrored in every line and in every word with in the pages of "Without".

By the time I got to page nine I was crying, not for Jane Kenyon but for Donald Hall. The book doesn't show case only loss but devotion. The memories he shares of Jane are clouded with the simple things that brought him contentment and careless pleasure. How often do you see the simple things in your life and overlook the pleasure that exists in the act of observation? Donald Hall looks back on the pleasure of contentment watching his wife taste the sauce that will be served with dinner and the act of bringing in groceries. He tells us of the ravishing beauty she grew into in her 40's. Donald Hall reminds us of hope with in the pages of "Without".

girldiver:)

I wanted to read this collection of poems because I was so moved by Mr. Hall's memoir of his life with Jane Kenyon, The Best Day The Worst Day. The poems here are inspired by the same sequence of events; that is, Ms. Kenyon's death from leukemia. This unity of purpose alone, so rare in poetry collections, gives the book incredible power. Of course, this unity is not enough. Fortunately, despite the sad theme, there are a number of wonderful poems here.

I found the poems in the first half of the book--those leading up to Ms. Kenyon's death--the best. "Song for Lucy," "The Porcelain Couple," "The Ship Pounding," and, especially, "A Beard for Blue Pantry" and "Blues for Polly" very moving, filled with great images like "Jane made bread so honest/it once went blue in the pantry//overnight in a heat wave" (Pantry) and "She sang blue: soulful, erotic,/skeptical, knowing everything/turns out bad in the end." Not surprisingly, blue is a linking color here.

Mr. Hall also intersperses a poem, "Her Long Illness," throughout the first half of the book. It's a risky strategy but it works well. Some of the best lines in the book come in this poem.

I didn't feel the second half of the book, which focuses more on Mr. Hall's loneliness, stood up as well as the first. The title poem, the first of the aftermath poems, is the weakest in the book. There are some passages in the various "Letters" poems that make up most of the second half that are very nice (my favorite, from "Letter in the New Year": "If someone had told us then/you would die in nineteen years,/would it have sounded/like almost enough time?") but, for the most part, they are very uneven. I was also put off by some of the semi-profane and sexual language in some of these poems. Not that these experiences aren't appropriate but they didn't ring true with the rest of the work.

It may be that the first half has the advantage of the tension of Ms. Kenyon's illness which dissolves into a less satisfying depression and loneliness in the second half. Perhaps my knowledge of the memoir interfered somewhat with my reading of some of the poems. Still, as a whole, this is definitely an excellent collection.

In his book of poems "Without", Donald Hall weaves a lexicographic tribute to his late wife, and fellow poet, Jane Kenyon, and in turn, leaves the world a legacy of grief and honor.

I first heard of this book by listening to NPR's "This American Life" on a featured story about the couple. Donald himself read some of these poems, and I knew within a minute, I had to have this work.

As poets so meekly and admirably do, Donald Hall captures the moments of his wife's last days through her battle with leukemia. The poems are simple, attainable, and direct. He minces no words as he describes Jane's downfall. He poetry is both pure and chilling; you feel her loss, you feel her impact, you feel.

If you are considering purchasing this book, I may recommend you purchasing Jane Kenyon's final book of poetry called "Otherwise". In a sense, they are companion pieces to each other, and in reading both you hear her voice, along with his, to make it theirs.

I highly recommend this book if you have ever lost someone, or want to understand the not understandable impact of losing someone.

The raw emotion melts from the pages to fill the reader's soul and provide a mirror to see themselves. We all experience and can relate to the poetry written here. Nicole writes concisely but the words expand your thoughts as you read. The best poetry I've read in a very long time.

This is simply the BEST poetry I have ever read!! When's the next book coming out? :)

Wonder is a great collection of inimitable poems that convey energy and confusion of love. Wonder demonstrates that poetry is inseparable from live and living. In every single poem I felt confession and emotional tension. I really enjoyed reading Wonder - brave poetry written with sensuality and sincerity.

A friend sent me a copy of your collection of poems.

On the back, it says that "I hope that at least some of the people who read my poerty can recognize that they are not alone."

To this, I respond:
Thank you. You echo my heart. Impact, Prism, Should've... They speak of me, and I am not alone. Nor are you.

----
Some of the poems are very sweet and uplifting, others reflect the harsh realities of life. I think my favorite is "Should've." It's final line says it all: "I should've danced." Nicole celebrates life in all its variety, in its beauty and its ugliness, in its starkness, in its mystery. And in many ways she echoes the way I feel, the way I think, the way I react. In all, she has mirrored my soul back to me, and I have learned to know myself better.

Thanks.

I really enjoyed reading this book immensely, Nicole has a beautiful way with putting her words into writing, we have all experienced what she has written in one way or another. The book was honest, and extremely well written. I am looking forward to the next "wonder"

This is a great sampler of all the wonderful poets of all times and represents all the different types of poetry. It is a journey into the past as well as the present. What a pleasure to read and share with others.

I personally prefer poem anthologies where the poetry is from a mix of poets, not just a collection of one poet's work. Americans' Favorite Poems will give you some very famous favorites, and also might surprise you with the works of lesser known (but still wonderful) writers.

What I also loved about this treasure of a book was the comments. Robert Pinsky compiled the poems that people from around the US sent him and printed their comments as to why each poem was their favorite. Reading the comments of all these people - firefighters, students, forest rangers, doctors, homemakers, basically people from all walks of life - is often very moving, entertaining, or surprising (you'll see some of your best loved poems from new and delightful angles). You get a feel for why people love poems as they explain that love, that attachment to a particular poem, in their own words.

Americans' Favorite Poems is an amazing book. It is the result of the "favorite poem project" held across the nation. The poems in the collection are real Americans' favorites along with their own comments on why they chose that poem as their favorite. The compilation is great for the obvious. The poems selected come from everywhere (many different cultures and different styles of poetry are present), and they are outstanding. The thing that sets Americans' Favorite Poems apart from other collections is the commentary from regular people. The comments are at turns hilarious and moving. They are always profound. They show the real greatness of good poetry: it has the ability to relate to a person's life experiences and really touch that person.

I must say that my favorite selection in the book was "I May, I Might, I Must" by Marianne Moore mainly because of the reason behind its selection. The only complaint (it isn't much of one) I have about the book is that my favorite "I Thank You God for Most This Amazing" by ee cummings didn't make it, but hopefully, there will someday be a Americans' Favorite Poems Volume II, and it will.

I wonder. I doubt it since Maya Angelou isn't included. She's one of the most visible poets in America today and very much loved. It's not that she's little known because she was America's Poet Laureate a few years ago -- so why leave her out? And why only one poem by William Stafford? Also, clearly one of the universal favorites of Robert Frost's is "Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening" and it's not here, either. (That one shows up in almost any discussion of poetry.)And, only one poem by Robert Penn Warren, another former USA Poet Laureate?
[sigh]

I'm also suspicious of a "project" that doesn't seem to have been announced widely before it began -- it can't be representative of ALL Americans since all Americans obviously didn't know about it.

All that said, it's a great collection. Through it I met several new poets (new to me)and I certainly enjoyed the ones I was already familiar with. It made me curious, too, about just what the American taste in poetry truly would be. I suspect it would include Ogden Nash and Edgar Allen Poe.

No. I don't think it's representative of the poetic taste of the American public and I don't think it should claim to be so, but I do think it's a great overview of popular poets and a superb collection of poems.

Robert Pinsky, the 39th Poet Laureate of the United States, founded the Favorite Poem Project. Since its inception, the Project has been dedicated to celebrating, documenting and promoting poetry's role in Americans' lives. During a one-year open call for submissions, 18,000 Americans wrote to the project volunteering to share their favorite poems - Americans from ages 5 to 97, from every state, of diverse occupations, education and backgrounds. The Project's first anthology, "Americans' Favorite Poems," consists of 200 of the submitted poems, along with readers' comments about their attachments to the poems. The selections are by poets from all over the world, poems written centuries ago alongside contemporary poems, poignantly sad poetry, as well as spiritually uplifting works, and humorous poems. Many are translations.

I found so many of my own favorites in this extraordinary collection. I was also introduced to many wonderful new poems, I might never have read. And some of the comments from the folks who submitted the poems, are as moving as the poetry itself. The book emphasizes the pure joy of reading poetry. And poetry appreciation is alive and well in America!

There is Anna Akhmatova's "The Sentence," submitted by a woman from Georgia who remembers her brother "who returned from Vietnam, a broken man of 21," when reading this poem; and Margaret Atwood's "Variation On The Word Sleep," "the most beautiful love poem I have ever read," writes a woman from Queens, NY; Lewis Carroll's "Jaberwocky" is included, with the comment, "Where else can you find a tale of danger, adventure, triumph, and jubilation - all so utterly wrapped in nonsense?" There are wonders printed here, by Ranier Marie Rilke, Alexander Pope, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sylvia Plath, William Shakespeare, Wallace Stevens, Dylan Thomas and Allan Ginsberg...and so many more. It must have been a difficult task, indeed, to select 200 poems from so many worthy submissions.

I recommend this anthology to poetry lovers everywhere, and also to those who do not care for poetry. This collection may change your mind.

The Mom's Choice Awards® honors excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. An esteemed panel of judges includes education, media and other experts as well as parents, children, librarians, performing artists, producers, medical and business professionals, authors, scientists and others. A sampling of the panel members includes: Dr. Twila C. Liggett, Ten-time Emmy-winner, professor and founder of Reading Rainbow; Julie Aigner-Clark, Creator of Baby Einstein and The Safe Side Project; Jodee Blanco, New York Times Best-Selling Author; LeAnn Thieman, Motivational speaker and coauthor of seven Chicken Soup For The Soul books; Florrie Binford-Kichler, Founder of Patria Press, Inc.- an award-winning independent publisher and Member of The Children's Book Council; Tara Paterson, Certified Parent Coach, and founder of The Just For Mom Foundation(tm) and the Mom's Choice Awards®. Parents and educators look for the Mom's Choice Awards® seal in selecting quality materials and products for children and families. This book has been honored by this distinguished award.

The Ballad of Blue Eagle is a charming book that tells the story of a blue eagle that protects the animal friends who live in Peaceful Valley. It is a rhyming book that pulls the reader into the story and teaches children the fun of learning how to rhyme words and tell a story.
The book is beautifully illustrated throughout and allows the reader to see the friendship between the animals and helps them become involved in the story. It shows community, friendship, and how to work together to help each other when danger is near.
The Ballad of Blue Eagle is a winner of the prestigious 'Mom's Choice Award' from "The Just For Mom's Foundation." This is a story that was passed from a father to his son. Then his son, in turn, illustrated the tale.
Steven E. Jones has graciously shared a favorite family story with children that will be a keeper on many shelves to be read and shared often through the years.

Sometimes we don't always see the clear reason for our
actions right way. Steven Jones had listened to many a tale
from his Father. He put this one into poetic form after his
Father's passing. But then it sat and patiently waited for the
next generation to play it's part. And when Steven Jr. asked to
illustrate the story it had come full circle.

This is not so very different from what happens in this
tale. Days pass easily in Peaceful Valley, but then an event
occurs that shakes up the residents and new respect is
given to two average members of the group. Meanwhile,
flying over head, having shown up just when he was needed
was Blue Eagle, the spiritual version of Jones's Father.

With a catchy tune to finish things up and wonderfully colorful
illustrations capturing all the expressions the members of
Peaceful Valley go thru during this story we should all be ready,
when we finish reading, for a romp in the nearest meadow.
Even if that meadow's only in our dreams!

I read this book to my 4 year old grandson (going on 6!)and his little 3 year old friend. I honestly believe I had as much enjoyment reading it to them as they did by listening and following along page by page. Here they are sitting on the edge of their little chairs, studying the pictures, occasionally pointing to the beautifully illustrated critters and repeating their names. They listened intently and got very excited when an incident occurred in the Peaceful Valley which the author uses to teach a powerful lesson! Excellent book not only for the classroom but in the home as well.

The animals of Peaceful Valley live a happy life filled with enjoyable games with all of their friends. One beautiful day, Blue Eagle, Arny, Pete, Timber, Toby and the rest of the gang start playing a fun game of Sneak and Peek, rather like the human game of Hide and Seek. Unfortunately, their game is suddenly disturbed by Clugar, a cougar wanting to cause trouble and maybe have one or two of Peaceful Valley's friends as a meal. Blue Eagle, as the protector of all of the animals in Peaceful Valley, decides to teach Clugar a lesson.

The Ballad of Blue Eagle is the first of a series of books about Blue Eagle and his friends. The inhabitants of Peaceful Valley are so very loveable and cuddly. Readers will quickly pick a favourite character while gaining an appreciation for nature. The rhythmic sing-song nature of this story makes it a really fun book to read aloud. This aspect also makes the story easier to read or to mimic for new readers and pre-readers.

I first saw this book at the library and after taking it home was so impressed with the content. The poems are lovely and the illustrations are beautiful. It is also a wonderful idea to have a little question at the end of each poem to search for a 'hidden' object in the picture (i.e. for 'd', 'can you find my drum').

This book is such a wonderful catalyst to introduce children to the wonder and beauty of the alphabet and the words that they create. I suggest utilizing a real shadow box with objects beginning with a letter in conjunction with the book. Continue the wonder with fun that even your children can help to create ('What can we add to the shadow box that begins with the letter A'?).

Thank you Ms. Seeley. Yours is a beautiful book indeed :).

As an educator, this book is wonderful for develeoping minds. Excellent vocabulary, very well illustrated!

What can I say about a book that gets chosen over and over by your child? As the parent, I am glad to read a book that is so clever and challenging for BOTH the child and the parent. Hunt and find helps you bond with your child as you seek out the various objects etc. in the shadowboxes. "There's the anchor, Mommy!"

Wholeheartedly recommend this book.

My 4 year old son was severely speech impaired when he started bringing me "The Book of Shadowboxes" to read. Every day I would read it to him and he would point to the wonderful illustrations. After about 4 weeks, he began to say some of the words from the book. Every time we would read it together he would use a new word from the book. It was neat how he would point to the pictures and say the names of the items. For us, it was a miracle; for my son, it was just fun! Thank you Laura Seeley for this delightful book; it made such a huge difference in our son's life !

My son & I love this book. The illustrations are terrific! I bought copies for all my nieces & nephews as well as my son's Preschool, Kindergarten & 1st grade teachers! I highly recommend it:)

This translation is very readable. The notes are always very interesting and help the text come alive. Red Pine has really provided a lot of value through them - without them, some of the poems could be very obscure. It is rare to find a translation of the complete works of a Chinese poet: most books only present a selection. If one takes the time to read the complete oevre, however, the author comes alive in a different way - you begin to recognize certain recurring moods and themes; in the end, you feel you have learnt something about the things that concerned him, and come closer as a result.
The only criticism is that Red Pine uses a personal transliteration that is neither pinyin nor Wade-Giles; as a result, it is often hard to be sure of the identity of people and places he mentions.

As other reviewers have already stated, this is a very nice volume of poetry, very nicely put together with the original chinese on one page and the translation on the opposite page. This is the third volume of Han Shan that I have, and it is by far the best in terms of completeness and the essence of the translations. Get a copy or three before the print run is over!

This beautiful edition of the legendary poetry by the "Zen" poet Han Shan is a priceless contribution to know and experience his fascinating and miraculous, almost stoic and sometimes mystical utterances. Carefully edited, wonderful translations. I am happy to have purchased this book as a gift for a good friend

Cold Moutain chuckles still
as he reads through my eyes
those poems that he carved in stone.

Appropriate now
as they were back then,
his laughter knows no bounds.

No center, no boundaries,
all opposites dissolve.
Suchness beyond "as one".

Moon over sea,
Wave against rock.
All returns instantly!

Somehow Cold Mountain, limping along from his mountain, creates seemingly simple and clear songs ("called by others crippled / he stands along steadfast") . Wonderful footnoted by "Red Pine" explain deeper references to Taoist or Buddhist texts and humorous digs at Chinese officials. Cold Mountain avoids the dogma or sophistry of any organization or religion, and avoids the chains of strict poetic for:m
"I've made elixirs and tried to become immortal
I've read the classics and written odes
and now I've retired to Cold Mountain
to lie in a stream and wash out my ears".

He has no problem mixing Buddhist and Taoist metaphors if it will make his point. This book provides a nice refuge and finding of a relation to nature:
"Spring water is pure in an emerald stream
moonlight is white on Cold Mountain"

Cold Mountain also finds peace inside:
"we all posses a miraculous creature
with neither form nor name
call and it answers clearly"

To top off the book are 4 poems by Big stick and 49 by "Pickup" friends of Cold Mountain. A great book!

This book is a perfect messiah's handbook (ala Richard Bach's Illusions). Succinctly written by an 'itinerate woodcutter' each page contains a gem of wisdom. I have had this book over twenty years and it has been revisited often in my quest for awareness and spiritual growth. I purchased it as a gift for my favorite aunt. A must have book for spiritual seekers.

a highly unique exploration of interesting systems of thought and philosophy. A one-of-a-kind sort of book, for sure.

I dicovered this wonderful book (or maybe it discovered me...) when I was 16 in a B. Dalton's bookstore during a lunch break in High School. Immediately I felt this book was like my mentor during the remainder of my teen years. It's the kind of book that you can open up to any page and find wisdom, beauty, strentgh and love. The style of writing reminds me of the Dhammapada with a dash of Heraclitus' philosopical prose.

Some of my favorite passages...

" Get to know the truthful, if you would become accquainted with beauty."



"Let go of everything you're holding onto

now let go of everything else."




"security is quicksand

can it really be ANYone's ambition in life
to become one-half the couple in the life insurance ads?

security. life insurance.
how much are you worth dead?

more than you're worth alive?
hurry up and die, then

hurry up and be born again."





"Do not be afraid to love."




"Decision-making is a vice. Some addicts reach a stage where they do almost nothing but agonize over decisions.
It's a subtle form of hesitation.
Like all addictions, the only cure is cold turkey.
You could spend the rest of your life trying to decide whether to take the cure."



"take everything that is strong in you
and put it to work
set it free
never mind what anyone thinks
take all your muscles
and stretch them to their limits
you'll amaze yourself, how good you'll feel
and how much good you'll do
just by radiating pure energy outward
-contact high the ultimate form of communication-
you are beautiful
be
be
be!"

This book predates most of the post-modern self help books we see on the shelves in bookstores or advertised in the media. Most of the authors of post-modern self help are focusing too much energy on manipulation to achieve a re-defined version of love and abundance. I personally feel it's an imitation of the "real thing", but then again I wax nostalgic over the simple hippie philosophies that came out of the 60's as notably this book attests to that. Even though I wasn't born until 1969! But a lot of things that came out from the 60's are truly classic. This being one them.

"This is God speaking", says Williams at one point. Well yes, reading this book does rather feel like that much of the time. "Das Energi" is a mighty powerful and inspirational read. A dynamic (VERY dynamic) mix of Zen ideas, taoism, positive thinking and maybe a bit of Christian morality thrown in for good measure. However, some of the language does place the book firmly in the late sixties and early seventies (man!). Its still brilliant.

Paul Williams presents us with quick, sharp "blows to the head" such as "Beware means be aware.", "Vote with your life. Vote yes.", "Stop showing off. It isn't what you do. Its what you are that matters.", "Babies see things as they really are" and so on. The uneven format of the book (could be a sentence on one page, a short paragraph on the next, then a short essay on the next) helps you to think more consciously in itself.

Having read the book several times over, I finally realized what was missing for me. A sense of humour! An inspirational classic such as "Illusions" by Richard Bach for example, has the same enlightening quality but gives you a good chuckle too. Still, this is an extraordinary book and I thank Paul Williams for it wholeheartedly. Read this and WAKE UP! ;o)

i found a copy of this book in a thrift store in okc when i was 17. for a year i would read it everyday. after the southern babtist had their way with me i was looking for some truth. i found this book and formed my belief system around it. it has guided me thru life and now that i have learned more about life from experience, i'm glad mr. williams book was there to arm me. i emailed paul williams and told him how his book changed my life and not only did he write me back but, sent me a copy of waking up together. he's an awesome guy still trying to change the world.