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Poetry

My First Book of Poetry

Brian K. Noe · January 1, 2025 ·

Don’t Walk | Walk: And Other Poems About Pretending to Sleep and Waking Up

Poetry Cover Art

Many years ago when I began writing for a living, I told my wife that I thought I would publish a book some day. Her response was to ask “Will this be an actual printed book, or one of those bullshit website things?”

Thanks to the revolution in self-publishing tools since then, it turns out to be an actual printed book.

I looked at several options for publication, and although I have reservations about Amazon, their KDP platform fit best with my goals for the project. I wanted wide distribution and low out of pocket costs to publish, but (most importantly) I wanted to be able to control the overall look of the finished product – in particular the fonts, and the layouts of the poems on the page.

The book is now available at this link.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRZJDMTC

These poems were written over the course of several decades, and capture some of my journey from a failing marriage to building a life with my true love, from deep cynicism to the first hints of spiritual awakening.

Should you decide to read it, I hope that you find something of interest.

Filed Under: News, Poetry Tagged With: Amazon KDP, Bookish, Books, Creativity, Poetry, Self Publishing

Sonnet 2

Brian K. Noe · April 5, 2024 ·

The Way of Light

As grime upon a looking glass obscures,
The patterns of conditioned mind conceal
The fundamental truth of what is real
And to the consciousness falsehood inures
Distortion both profound and slight occurs
Without which would the clearer light reveal
A way to live serene and more ideal
The Path Eternal victory assures
I shall polish the mirror of my heart
With the dust of my Guru’s lotus feet
Shall sing the names of God who shelters me
Shall keep my word without pretense or art
Shall walk the Way of Light with no retreat
Shall know the truth and it shall make me free

Filed Under: Poetry Tagged With: Kriya Yoga, Patanjali, Poetry, Satya, Sonnets, Yamas, Yoga, Yoga Sutras

What I’m Reading: Came the Lightening

Brian K. Noe · March 23, 2023 ·

Came The Lightening Book CoverLast evening, I finished reading Olivia Harrison’s Came the Lightening – Twenty Poems for George.

I’m almost embarrassed to admit that my fascination with the Harrisons’ relationship stretches back nearly fifty years now. During the early years of his solo career, I happened on an issue of People magazine with a story about George, and it included a photo of him and Olivia. They looked so incredibly joyful. To my teenage mind, I could not imagine a life more vibrant or exciting than the one I pictured them leading. For quite some time seventeen-year-old me did his best to emulate George’s style and manner, and I was more than a little smitten with this dark eyed beauty who was his new love.

George Harrison was, and is, one of the great heroes of my lifetime. I remain a huge fan of his music, and his philosophy. When the Dark Horse album came out in 1974, I listened to it constantly, fumbling around trying to pick out parts on guitar or bass, singing along “It is He, Jai Sri Krishna!”

I still have that original vinyl record. On the sides of the record itself, the labels with the track listings have a photo of George on side 1 and Olivia on side 2. The smiling eyes are still just as captivating when I look at them today.

Side 1 Label Side 2 Label

Watching the Scorsese documentary Living in the Material World for the first time a few years ago, I was struck by how much deeper and more exciting and vibrant – and tragic and difficult – the Harrisons’ life together had been. Besides George’s musical brilliance, and the incredible balancing act he lived out (maintaining a lifelong dedication to the spiritual path while burning off worldly karmas like Sherman’s march to the sea), what struck me most about the film was Olivia’s grace, poise and intellect. The love they shared shone through every word she spoke.

So I was delighted to find this book. She wrote these poems in part to make sense of their life together, and to make sense of his passing, and her grief. As a result, the book presents a more intimate portrait than a memoir likely could.

Fair warning that it is painful to read some of these poems, particularly Heroic Couple (about the nearly deadly attack on the Harrisons in their home by a crazed intruder) and Came the Lightening (about the moment Harrison left the body).

This is a must read for any George Harrison fan, but it would also be of interest to anyone who is trying to come to grips with loss, the power of love and marriage, the meaning of life itself.

One who is graced to live life (and face departure) on their own terms, as Harrison did, is lucky indeed. We who remain are lucky to find inspiration in his story, and in the loving memories so boldly set to the page in this book.

Filed Under: What I'm Reading Tagged With: Bookish, Books, George Harrison, Memories, Olivia Harrison, Poetry

Dying Words

Brian K. Noe · November 24, 2020 ·

Through all of the roses
And all of the dead ends
In one back yard after another

You just didn’t care

Quite enough

Dying words
“If you leave me now we’re through.”

He would have hurt you anyway.

Filed Under: Poetry Tagged With: Dreams, Poems, Poetry, Roses

The Question of Distributing

Brian K. Noe · November 20, 2020 ·

Oh receiver of alms
Charity Receiving once toward home
home
justice
didn’t it symbolize home

I though clean
arrived with not a conflicted
abandoned
world
distributing a drop
a guise
the hand immaculately describes a path
something was on the left
Justice observed
alms point the circumstances

we kept down now
each perhaps disappeared
save This person
I was upset about
the question of distributing
I continued walking

Filed Under: Poetry Tagged With: Ambiguity, Burroughs, Charity, Cut-Up Technique, Paradox, Poems, Poetry, Poverty, Tarot, Wealth

Sat Nam

Brian K. Noe · August 31, 2019 ·

Gentlest breeze and sweet smell
of incense
I am
the silent sentinel
at breath’s gate

Before the seat of the soul
mandalas flow and resolve
the orbit of a far off prayer
wheel their motive

the True Name
the Holy Name
is revealed once more

Filed Under: Poetry Tagged With: Mantra, Meditation, Poetry

Open Mic Night at Feed – Wednesday, June 11th

Brian K. Noe · June 9, 2014 ·

Come join us on Wednesday evening, June 11th, at 7PM for Open Mic Night at Feed Arts Center in downtown Kankakee.

We’re planning an evening of acoustic music and spoken word, with old Folkies, young poets, and everybody in between taking the stage to present their craft.

Whether you are a seasoned performer, or you’ve never yet faced a public audience, we invite you to come and share your music, recitation or reading before a group of enthusiastic and nurturing souls at Feed.

If you don’t feel like performing, please join us to listen and to support those who do.

It’s an evening of homegrown words and music, direct from the heart of the arts in our community.

Filed Under: Other Content Tagged With: Art, Banjo, Folk Music, Guitar, Poetry, Spoken Word

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