Of One and Many Worlds
poems by Rayn Roberts
Published by Poetic Matrix Press
93 pages, price $15.00
ISBN 0-9714003-9-3
Available at Amazon.com
Description
The Book
This collection covers a wide expanse of topics from metaphysical issues about the nature of existence, to suffering, right action, aesthetic experience and how we live our everyday lives. Intellectual honesty, even skepticism, are important parts of the volume. The poet acknowledges that there are ultimate questions, but denies that there are final answers that could be given by any final authority.
We see his keen eye for the beauty of nature and change within nature, and we can
watch his keen nose at work, close to nature, sniffing out the joys and suffering
of everyday living.
— Paul Dolinsky, PhD, from the Preface
Like a prophet - subtle/rude, elated/defeated, but always accessible and wise -
his words call complacent silence to a duel.
— Lesley Synge, author of Organic Sister
Rayn Roberts sees the spiritual dilemmas and opportunities of Korea with clear eyes,
getting just the right words about them on paper.
— David Mason, author of Spirit of the Mountains: Korea's San-shin and
Traditions of Mountain-Worship
Rayn Roberts
Rayn Roberts is found in print and online at Chronogram, Rattle, Rattapallax, Retort Magazine, The Sow's Ear Review, Voices in Wartime, Opening of The Heart, PoetsWest, Thunder Sandwich, The Pedestal Magazine, Fireweed, Sauce Box, Gypsy Magazine, Tamafyhr Mountain Poetry, Turbula, Void Magazine, Poet's Corner in Fieralingue, Poetic Voices and others. He appears in four anthologies, In the Arms of Words: Poems for Distaster Relief from Sherman Asher & Foothill Publishing, The Book of Hope & The World Healing Book from Beyond Borders Press and Paths from The Philosophical Library of Escondido, California. These books include new and established poets Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Rita Dove, Marilyn Chin and a great voice for peace, The Dalai Lama. In 2006, Evolving Editions Press in New York included him in their "Illuminations" series, volume three. "Illuminations" is concerned with interfaith understanding through poetry, art, photography and interviews. Of One and Many Worlds is his third book. In 2003 he toured the U.S. to promote Jazz Cocktails & Soapbox Songs. He is also the author of The Fires of Spring, a collection of Buddhist poems written in South Korea. Website: www.geocities.com/raynrobkorea
From Of One and Many Worlds:
| When Ray Charles Checked Out | Memory at Chu Suk* |
|---|---|
|
He could not escape the news reports Of how he used women Like dope Had them, tossed them when done, But the week he left his body America mourned Reagan's death, Remembered The good and evil made— Poor, blind and black in America, Had the Boogie-woogie at an early age Had the calling, Wrapped in shades Ray Charles leaned his body back Tilted his head up As if he'd turned his inward gaze on paradise And sang Swayed above the black and white Wood and wire, And for the short while He took the stage Time ceased to turn, death squads ceased to kill There were no A-Bombs, AIDS Arms sales, Contras, cold war... All the walls Of every evil empire fell Because a sightless man found a way Into the Seeing Heart— And though death takes all, some are honored And some grieved for: all that week And longer I remembered Ronald, but grieved for Ray |
For an hour in autumn I saw all time I was alone, yet not! Saw a million years and more Beings I'd been All it took to come to what I am: Sad for what is What lives as if to spite death But cannot win, what pushes Against a tide of pain... A last cicada singing in a twisted pine Chanting for a future And not a single other for miles To hear the song, The union of two as far off As the cat's eye nebula opening slowly Outward —Mind being born— A neon rose glowing in the dark... Night like summer thunder came down: A vision, no, a memory Of all the flesh and blood I'd seeded Or killed throughout time, mothered Nurtured, kidnapped, protected— But not this time— I saw the fact And the lie of my existence: The truth of the Chu Suk moon. *Chu Suk: Korea Thanksgiving |