David Anthony Sam's Blog, page 213

Hsin Hsin Ming, the Book of Nothing: Discourses on the Faith Mind of Sosan by Osho

Hsin Hsin Ming, the Book of Nothing: Discourses on the Faith Mind of Sosan by Osho
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Some memorable quotations:

"Attain to that silence again, that’s all – again be a child. The whole thing comes to this, you can conclude it. All the Buddhas come to this conclusion: that you have to become a part of nature again."

"But look – they are concerned with small things because life consists of small things. Great problems are only in the mind, not in life."

"Where are the boundaries? The tree moves in you, the sun moves in the tree, the ocean moves into the tree, you move in the child and this goes on..."

"Everything is moving. The breath that is within you will be in me a little later. And the breath is life, so your life and my life cannot be different, because the same breath you breathe I breathe."

"Language is time, divided into the same categories as time. And life is beyond. Life if not past."

"You cannot be perfect! The very goal of perfection is an ego trip. The whole is already perfect, you need not be worried about it – and in the whole you are also perfect."

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Poetry Reading in Culpeper July 11

Looking forward to another poetry reading/book signing July 11 in Culpeper at the Raven's Nest 7:30pm
http://ravensnestcoffeehouse.com/

Outtakes by Charles Wright with artwork by Eric Appleby

Outtakes by Charles Wright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a lovely books a artifact, which may become more the way of things to come as eBooks take over the basic function of texts. The juxtaposition of black and white art with Wright's sestets, the latter captured from his original typewritten manuscripts including smudged keystrokes, makes for an aesthetically pleasing art work.

And further, Wright's poetry is real, rich in imagery, and fine in word choice, with a sense of form and willingness to play freely against that form.

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The Griffin Bookstore Reading - June 22, 2014

My thanks to The Griffin Bookshop and Coffee Bar and to all who attended my poetry reading Sunday June 22, 2014.


 Thanks also to those who purchased copies of  "Memories in Clay, Dreams of Wolves."

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam

Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam by Omar Khayyam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I originally read this in high school and have not ventured back since then. It is in many ways a long plea for carpe diem and a kind of "To His Coy Mistress" seduction song, with the mistress being both a woman and wine. I was reminded of the number of common expressions which came from this poem. One I did not recall, but admire is:

"The Stars are setting and the Caravan/Starts for the Dawn of Nothing..."

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1972 Trip Inspired Poems in "Memories in Clay, Dreams of Wolves"

Here is a map showing my 1972 backpacking/hitchhiking trip that inspired the poems in "Memories in Clay, Dreams of Wolves" - Section "Driftwood Memories or Waiting for Fire."

The First Four Books of Poems by W.S. MerwinMy rating: 3 ...

The First Four Books of Poems by W.S. Merwin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

There are a number of fine poems in this collection, and Merwin's use of language and his varied subjects are commendable. However, sometimes the language drifts to the needlessly archaic and verbose.

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One of my favorite professors, and one who helped me see ...

One of my favorite professors, and one who helped me see the leader inside me, just paid me a wonderful compliment about my book; Milton Foster was Department Head for English at Eastern Michigan University when I attended. He drew me out of class and invited me to participate in student government. Milt is a WWI Army Air Corps veteran and and mentor and role model for me.


Because he is  a retired English professor and because he is a man I respect, his words below mean a lot to me:

From Milton Foster: "Hi David - Your book of poems is wonderful. I especially enjoy the scenes from your life in the Pittsburgh area and your life in Michigan because I know those places well. Your poems are rich in concrete and specific details, making them very readable. Milt Foster"

Green With Beasts by W.S. MerwinMy rating: 3 of 5 starsMe...

Green With Beasts by W.S. Merwin
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Merwin's third collection shows promise for what follows. His use of language harks back to Anglo-Saxon beat lines and alliteration, and is a rich music. Many of the shorter poems are quite good. Many of the longer poems seem to need paring down as they show his love of language sometimes overcoming his art.

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Charles Wright named US Poet Laureate

Congratulations to Charles Wright, Poet Laureate. http://ow.ly/y1O3E