Reflections

About the Book

This book is more than just a book of poetry to me. This book is a window into my perceptions and experiences in this world, reflections of my soul, so to speak. One dictionary definition of poetry is “the art of apprehending and interpreting ideas by the faculty of imagination; the art of idealizing in thought and in expression.” This is true; for me however, poetry is a little more. It is a way of communicating to God and a way of speaking to others. I pour forth the contents of my mind and soul into rhythmic lines of expression. This form of communication was given to me by God, and because of that fact, I feel it necessary to honor him by sharing some of the many insights that he has given to me while writing. Along with poetry, these insights have brought me great peace; I have based all seven of the chapters in this book on those insights. I share these poems and insights with great humility, not for judgement, but to honor the greatest influence and power that I have ever known. May all those who read these words and find some meaning within them thank God, not me. There may be those who read my thoughts and poetry on existence and living a peaceful life and say, “Mike, if you know so much about living in peace, why is it that you sometimes suffer? Why is it that you sometimes get angry, and experience loneliness, and pain? Why is it that you don’t always act at peace?” They will point accusingly and say, “I have seen you sin.” My only reply is to say that I, like everyone else, am human, and knowing the path and walking the path are two separate things. I am not fully enlightened; I am a normal, everyday person. My purposes and goals are revealed to me through strife; like everyone else, I suffer to come unto the Lord, and there are many times when I fall short. Peace is almost never easy to attain.

About the Author

Michael Pasley grew up in New Albany Indiana and, briefly attended Indiana University in Bloomington. After three semesters, he gave up his dream up becoming a English teacher and, decided that he would rather write. When he was young his grandmother read poetry to him written by all the greats. Michael grew up listening to the words of Yates and Shakespeare and began at the age of eleven began to write his own poems and short stories. He now lives in Jeffersonville Indiana where he spends most of his time working on his fantasy novel that he hopes to someday publish.