Natural Beauty
And Other Poems
by
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When We Know It’s Real When we struggle for words To truly describe the beauty of a peaceful moon; When we’re mesmerized By sunset or sunrise, With no verbal way to express; When joy warms our heart Or a breeze flows through us Cooling our skin to the touch; No notions are needed, Our body understands: We are one with this time and this place. One Little, Two Little The poems and songs we grow up with Reveal the culture we are from. Expose the perspective from which we see Shows how we’re both smart and dumb Our geography, our history, our DNA, Wherever our journey may begin; When we are fortunate, we will learn That no one will ever win. Until everyone comes to realize, Until no one is left behind, Until all life is treated respectfully, Then, only then, will we find Whatever I call you reveals my lack Without you my vision is blind With you I can see more of Thee - True picture of our one mind. What A Baby Can Teach Us Inside, outside, now I lay me down; Not for long, mind you, nothing lasts very long; But for now, and maybe tomorrow, and maybe a week or month after that Noticing my breath I am grateful once again, I can notice and appreciate their every little breath. Regardless of the outcome, or the income, or any welcome at all To sleep perchance to wake up, what more could I ask? Merrily, merrily or maybe not so merrily, We row our boats. Oh, what a delight it would be to dream; Or even just to sleep the whole night through.
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About the Book
Patrick J. Cole’s new collection brings together 46 poems and showcases his experienced mixing of the natural and the mystical touches to the everyday moments of our lives. Here are poems that resonate immediately and yet provide new perspectives both whimsical and wise. From the teachings provided by his dogs and other Zen masters to insights coming through love and hate, Cole educates and entertains. All of this is illustrated by Barbara Merlotti with six new drawings that capture the natural elements and mindfulness perspective that amplifies the said and unsaid rhythm and flow presented. Ultimately, the suffering and joy of life described emphasizes the joy to be found in the present moment and its’ source in infinity.
About the Author
Patrick J. Cole is a management consultant and poet that finds delight in Nature which is often pointed out to him by a canine companion while he attempts to walk mindfully through the woods. Cole mixes his psychology background, perennial wisdom practices, and poetry to deliver his simple message: there’s joy to be found if we know how to look for it. Oh, he’s not the calm, cool, Zen cucumber you might expect. He still feels a range of emotions as he attempts to maintain his PBS practice. What’s PBS? His Zen Buddhist mentor explains that it means Pause, Breathe, and Smile – or, if that doesn’t work, Peanut Butter Sandwich. Both can help avoid negative knee-jerk reactions that often only make life more difficult. While practicing PBS, Cole lives with his wife in rural Missouri relatively near St. Louis. 11/30/2021: Patrick J. Cole is a management consultant and poet who finds delight in nature, especially the hidden wildlife often pointed out to him by a canine companion while he attempts to walk mindfully through the woods. Cole mixes his psychology background, perennial wisdom practices, and poetry to deliver his simple message: there’s joy to be found if we know how to look for it. Oh, Cole might look calm, cool, and collected, but he still feels a range of strong emotions as he attempts to maintain his PBS practice. What is PBS? His Zen Buddhist mentor explains that it means Pause, Breathe, and Smile—or, if that doesn’t work, Peanut Butter Sandwich. Both can help avoid harmful knee-jerk reactions. While practicing PBS, Cole lives with his naturally beautiful wife in rural Missouri, relatively near St. Louis.