Heavily influenced by traditional narratives, these story poems carry seeds of cosmic consciousness imbued with a dash of La Fontaine, Aesop and Native American Shamanism. Did Pavlova's awakening to her karmic dance have anything to do with this? Read these poetic vignettes and you will find out.

Life sketches reveal inside stories and inner lives of poets who move from place to place. Each story, each vignette invites a cosmic awareness of paradise on earth.

The Road to Tramore gifts readers with glimpses into visionary worlds, views of the natural world in Ireland and in Boulder, as well as additional encounters with teachers and students who can unexpectedly appear everywhere. Everyday experiences surrender readers with poetic vignettes, philosophical, scintillating, meditative, and reflective. A must read for those who seek heart-centered poetry.

How can you, the reader, awaken to the cosmic dance of poetry? By savoring the welcome dance of images, visions, and poetic excursions. Can't afford a cruise? Go on cruise control with this poetry and enjoy the ride. These works will sensitize your awareness so you can soon set sail on the vast sea of improvisation. Watch as the stirring of your mind, body, and soul will harmonize with a poet's passion for the caress of words.

Roman historians suggested the black swan never existed as a species found in the natural world. However, poets well know the icon of the black swan is alive and well and swimming across many sign posts of pubs in the British Isles. Read these poems and savor a lyrical exuberance that activates, quickens and celebrates a cosmic song.

Shaman Dreaming evokes the spirit of poetry. When a Shaman dreams she/he usually dreams of an animal to complete a natural healing cycle. Poetry is a way of summoning animals that have lives that bring readers a sense of spiritual identity. When you read these poems you may find yourself being grateful you have the freedom to dream in whatever way you wish.

Beyond the tricks of phenomenological investigation readers may believe the imaginary world of Maya exists. Poets live in a supernatural arena which is here today and gone tomorrow. Wordsmithing operates as a way of transcending the limits of the reader's imagination. An invitation to suspend everyday belief systems continues to invite verbal detours.

When dab chicks are first set out to pasture they may be resistant to various archetypal states of individuation, and integration. While surrendering to a gradual blending into nature, including the terraced garden plot, the orchard, the tree as well as underbrush, dab chicks eventually gain strength and learn to lean into the angled brightness of flying. Author Elizabeth Bishop tells us specifically the dab chicks are just excuses for the imagination to enjoy earth's biosphere as well as the transformative voice of nature poetry.

Not sure what to do today? Meditate on a Tarot card and find a new sense of direction. The studies on the Tarot cards offered in the pages of this book may inspire you to make a shamanic excursion into the vast, unknown worlds of poetic endeavor and fantasy. When using your imagination, the choices you make on the path to self-realization offer new lessons that may later lead you towards a more formal study of the Tarot.

These poems reflect the author's continued engagement with her contemplation of nature and its blessed surround. Communing with nature is what calls forth a healing poetic response. The inner paradise of contemplative thought may be the only paradise on earth. Please read these poems aloud and enjoy the metaphorical palette.