http://www.Dahni.com/Poetry

- Volume 2 -

A collection of verse

by Dahni

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Dedication

To the Pilgrim in search of home

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FORWARD

by Arman Sicova, editor for I-Magine Publications

This volume of poetry and prose, being the first public release of Dahni’s collected work, in all actuality contains entries which are a part of ‘The Tear and The Tender,’ not published. Several of the individual poems here also, have been published in anthologies. A page acknowledging the publishers of these individual poems follows here. Nonetheless, ‘Life’s a Trip,’ should be considered for all practical purposes, Volume II of Dahni’s collections.

Dahni grew up in the Midwest portion of the United States of America. Having two sets grandparents whose backgrounds were education based and of the farming community, he was exposed to both intellectual experiences and the ‘common sense’ wisdom found in rural America. His life began in a small town, but one in which was host to a major university. He also gained much insight into the life and qualities of life found in ‘country’ living.

“Farmers are perhaps, some of the most resilient, hardest-working

and multi-skilled people in the world.”

Dahni

When asked, Dahni believed that his first poems were most likely written while he was the 6^th grade of elementary school. The school year would have been 1964-1965 and his age between 11 and 12. Perhaps the very first poem ever written was entitled: ‘The Tramp.” This unpublished work may at some point shared in the future. The second work came about during a class project involving the study of, ‘Tales from the Thousand and One Nights,’ translated by N. J. Dawood. Dahni illustrated a theme from the book with colored pencils and then wrote a corresponding poem.

“I had never written anything like this before. Inspired by the exotic themes

from the book, my imagination just took flight.”

Dahni

This poem was published in its entirety by a local newspaper in Dahni’s hometown. Dahni knows of no copies which exist.

“Some day I will just have to search the archives of the paper to see if I can find this.”

Dahni

This was the beginning of poetry reading and writing for Dahni. In high school, he worked with the school newspaper. At one point in the year, the newspaper published a separate anthology of poetry written by the students attending the school. Dahni had many submissions, most of which were entered under various pen names. Many of these though well received, were controversial and dealt with mature themes. Unfortunately, no copy of this work has been located to date.

“I have been back to the school library and either could not find any record of this publication

or the school never saved a copy. Even a former girlfriend of mine was not able to find hers.”

Dahni

Such had been the experience of Dahni with poetry. Many of his poems were given away over the years to friends and loved for special occasions, jotted down in letters or in home made greeting cards, but no copies exist.

Dahni wrote many journals from which he would go back and read from time to time over the years. One day in 1994, while reading through many of these he noted a particular pattern in his writings. Randomly skipping through entries and different journals, he was astonished to find that his writings always seemed to return to the beginning. This cycle was negative to Dahni and he took perhaps 15-20 of these journals and destroyed them by fire.

“I did not like what I saw or felt from reading these

and I certainly would not wish the same on an enemy!”

Dahni

The poem ‘From a Journal.’ which is included in this collection was born out of the experience of burning by fire his previous journals. Perhaps like the legendary Phoenix[1], his intents, purposes and plans were purified.

This collection as well as the life of Dahni have been and remain a journey. The writings show both an evolution of thought and of the author. There are many themes within this collection that are perhaps familiar to many of us that read here. Dahni blends deeply felt emotions with humor and whimsy. The words are often full of meaning like a deep pool of clear water. Though one meaning is clear upon the surface another lies just below. ‘Love Letters clearly shows the shape of a heart, but to have made such a word-image design took much thought. We are reminded of perhaps our own love letters sent or received through the years. Often such a letter has been difficult to write, so desirous are we to say just what we feel and to convey this to our intended. Besides the title and the image of a heart, within its shape lies another meaning, for all to see. Perhaps the greatest way and the best way to convey our love is to simply and often say, “I Love You.”

Other pictures poems within this collection such as ‘Garden’ clearly show the power of thoughts, particularly negative thoughts and compare them to weeds with Dahni’s admonition to burn them. Perhaps this is associated with his own experience in having burned many of his journals?

The poetry within this collection is simple without being simplistic. They are easy to read and may be understood by almost anyone. Aside from a few references that may be dated to certain times, one does not need a dictionary or some special commentary to appreciate them. For as long as poetry has been written, it has also been debated as to what it is. In the entry called ‘Poiéma,’ Dahni clearly defines exactly what poetry is, and this work was previously published in a national anthology.

This collection deals with many subjects and moves and changes just as landscapes do as we travel and journey through life. The readings are fun and exciting; moving and full of food for thought. Several of the poems here are excerpts like ‘Sand Poet.’ One can just picture a seashore and a poet writing poems in the sand with perhaps a piece of driftwood or bent over, writing the words with fingers in the wet sand. Then the tide comes in and washes them all away. The meaning is clear that it is not the words themselves that are meant to be lasting or meaningful. It is the writing of them, the living or the journey, not the destination which is most important to the author.

I hope you will enjoy this collection and as a result of your reading, share them with others. Words do have meaning, but they become most important when they become your words, your experience and your life to share with others.

Life is truly an incredible journey of discovery. It is full of ‘Tears’ of joy and pain and ‘Tender’ things of life. ‘Life is a Trip.”

Journey here and there well,

Arman Sicova

[1] The Phoenix at an old age when its feathers were worn was believed to have flown as high as it could fly. Diving headlong into flames, it would renew its strength and feathers, emerging as a new creature.

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* This symbol indicates that these poems are featured on this website

Titles

* 1. The Tear and The Tender

* 2. From a Journal

3. I'm Still Alive

4. I'm Glad I Took the Chance

5. Knoxville, TN at The World's Fair

6. To Janice in England

* 7. excerpt from: Deep Waters

8. Greetings

* 9. To A Friend/To A Loved One

*10. X's & O's

11. Roy Key

12. Christopher

13. Alicia

14. Mr. C.E. Bass

15. In & Out of Course

16. Ann Marie

*17. Skopéo’

*18. Get Out

*19. Tragedy

20. Defining Greatness

*21. Can't Fill His Shoes

22. The One Who Dares

23. I Wonder

*24. TADAH

*25. Wake Up

26. A Kiss Upon The Waters

*27. To The Collector of My Debt

28. Garden

29. excerpt from: The Lady of The Green Dress

30. From 35 to Caddy

*31. Pull up a chair

32. The Richest of All Riches

33. Oscar 'Pa' Burt

34. excerpt from: My Mom & I

35. excerpt from: Attitubes'

36. Splat

37. Excuses

38. Once - Twice - Thrice

39. Dah' Computers

40. excerpt from: Surfin' The Net

41. Dreamstorm'

42. Haiku?

43. excerpt from: The Wind in My Hair

44. Coming Home

*45. Love Letters

46. Me

47. Leaves me Alone

48. Grand Slam

49. The Foxes and The Boxes of Rocks-es'

50. Transitions & Shifting Paradigms

51. 501

52. Posture

53. excerpt from: Living in America

54. My Native State

55. I just Wanted To Get Published

56. Soar

57. Lifeflow'

58. Got to Take it Eazy' Män

59. excerpt from: Sand Poet

60. Poiéma

61. Interview with a writer?

62. Writing

*63.

64. Opus

65. Just a Whisper

66. Better

67. Thank You

Life's A Trip A collection of verse by Dahni

All rights reserved. Published in the United States by I-Magine Publications, Rochester, NY 14612. No part of this book may be used in any manner whatsoever without written permission by both the author and the publisher except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles or reviews.

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