Poetry of Presence II: More Mindfulness Poems

by Phyllis Cole-Dai (Editor), Ruby Wilson (Editor)

This follow-up volume to the immensely popular Poetry of Presence presents a feast of mindfulness poems. The poems are skillfully crafted and highly accessible. Its authors speak from a rich variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and life-paths. Most are contemporary or recent poets.
Many of the poems delve into relational or social mindfulness, exploring "the tough stuff" of living among others with presence. These poems invite us to face relational challenges without turning away from them. They encourage us to seek equanimity, and to address challenges with compassion, hope, courage, and humility.

Genres: Poetry

228 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2023

About the author

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Phyllis Cole-Dai began pecking away on an old manual typewriter in childhood and never stopped. Her work explores things that tend to divide us, so that we might wrestle our way into deeper understandings of ourselves and others.

She has authored or edited more than a dozen books in multiple genres. Her latest book is The Singing Stick, a literary novel (September 2024). Other recent titles include Poetry of Presence II: More Mindfulness Poems, Staying Power II: Writings from a Year of Emergence, Staying Power: Writings from a Pandemic Year, For the Sake of One We Love and Are Losing: A Meditative Poem & Journal, Beneath the Same Stars: A Novel of the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War, and Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poetry.

Personal Background

Born in 1962 in the farming community of Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, Phyllis eventually graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (English, 1984) from Goshen College; a Master of Theological Studies (1987) from the Methodist Theological School; and a Master of Arts (English, 1993) from The Ohio State University.

Phyllis and her scientist-husband have lived for the past quarter-century in Brookings, South Dakota. In 2025 they will relocate to Catonsville, Maryland.

Speaking

Phyllis has long been in demand as a public speaker. She has appeared in all kinds of settings—religious, spiritual, educational, philanthropic, social-service, and civic. She still presents as her busy schedule allows. Please contact her if you would like to discuss booking possibilities.

Reviews

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry of presence II is just as good as the initial, however they veer in very different directions. The first volume is more comforting and soothing. The second volume seeks to make a person less comfortable and complacent.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great way to start every day. Just sit and let the words sink in.

[Lisa Totino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allow
By Danna Faulds

There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in—
the wild and the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes.

* * *

Chorus from The Cure at Troy
By Seamus Heaney

History says, Don't hope
On this side of the grave.
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.

* * *

Other favorites include How surely gravity's law, by Rainer Maria Rilke; and Stages, by Hermann Hesse.

[Susan Lampe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring and thoughtful collection of poems by a wide group of poets. I read through these slowly, a few at a time and contemplated many. Some of my favorites included: some by both William Stafford and his son Kim. I relished a few like "Can You Hear It" by Paula Lepp, "Dust" by Dorianne Laux", "Shoulders" by Naomi Shihab Nye, "Allow" by Danna Faulds, "People Who Take Care" by Nancy Henry, "Here Together" by W.S. Merwin, "Clearing" by Martha Postlethwaite, "Small Kindnesses by Danusha Lameris, and "Why I Smile at Strangers" by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer but there are so many I treasured. Thanks to those who put together this special book.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetry of Presence II is a worthy read, but nowhere near as good as the first volume. I think the themes of the poems may have something to do with my feelings about this book - they are heavy, for the most part, harder to relate to than the poems in Poetry of Presence. I also had a hard time with the order of the poems, and may have liked this better without so many similar poems grouped together. There are some wonderful poems included, it just felt a little less inspiring than I had anticipated it wold be, and so was a bit disappointing.

[Tom McCleary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the first Poetry of Presence... Five stars. This collection is, as mentioned in the introduction, collected around a different theme that didn't resonate with me as the first volume did. Also, I made the mistake of reading the editor's introduction.

[T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very diverse collection of authors with some common themes. I enjoyed it.

[Jacobscj · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great anthology of poetry which I read each morning as a way to begin my day. Frequently I return to these jewels of verse to reflect on their meaning allowing them to soak into my core.

[Bill Mayer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books like this sustain us.

[C Reed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not as strong as book 1. Sigh