Lake Winds: Poems - Paperback

by Larry Smith (Author), Brian Smith (Photographer)

A strong book of poems set in the Midwest today.

Back Jacket

This is a gathering of autumn flowers, what has remained of the summer garden, the gathering before the scattering. Poems in the elder's voice, that ripened voice which grows only out of a considered life, from a man who has spent the currency of his seventy some years in deepening that life through the practice of poetry. "Lake Winds" brings us the poetry of appreciation and gratitude. No busy ego racket here.

These poems come from a quieter level of mind that trusts that all of this is held within the secret direction/of everything. They acknowledge that truth, in Rumi's words, that "Someone has filled the cup before us." It is understood that we must prepare it for those who follow. Each of these poems is a filled cup awaiting a reader.

Consider the lessons of The Weed by the Garage. Here, the poet hesitates to pull a weed from the garden. Is it a weed or not/and how are we to decide? The subtle teachings of Zen whisper here as they do so often throughout. If one is to act compassionately: don't tell me show me. We are cautioned to stop choosing between this and that, to include it all, weed and flower, in Big Mind. Then, the poet offers this extraordinary simple line, a sharpened blade to with which to sever every knot of delusion. "Without judgment, all are dear."

Consider the beautifully spun "Walking a Field into Evening" teaches us the wisdom of letting go.

"No more arguments, / Just heart sense, or talk about nothing.

Take long walks in the woods at dawn or dusk, / Breathe in the damp musty air, / Learn to listen before I die."

These poems speak to those who have learned to listen. - Maj Ragain