Nothing Works

About the Book

Nothing Works is a book of blending, similar to the practices and philosophies that are the subject of the poems. The poems reflect personal study, thought, and practice in Aikido, Buddhism, meditation, yoga, the Tao, and Zen, combined with a Western overview. The poems are heavily influenced by the styles of classical Chinese and Japanese poetry, particularly the landscape tradition of Chinese poetry of Mountains-and-Rivers, which emphasizes the wilder aspects of landscape, and with Fields-and-Gardens,representing the more domestic aspects of landscape. The author has added a third category he calls Concrete-and-Steel, based on a more modern, urban perspective, but still inspired by and honoring the prior Chinese poetic traditions.

About the Author

In real life Jim currently works as a grant manager and has many years prior experience working in the social service fi eld. Jim has a long-term interest in the martial arts and has been studying and practicing Aikido for fourteen years, in which he holds a dan ranking. Jim also has interests in meditation, yoga, and Eastern Philosophies, in general. He has a Master’s Degree in Management, with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Jim is also a former paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. Jim was born in Glasgow, Scotland. Jim presently resides in the Chicago area.