The Drum That Beats Within Us

The tradition of the poet warrior endures throughout human history finding expression in the Bibles King David the Vikings of Iceland Japans Samurai the Shambhala teachings of Tibet the ancient Greeks and medieval knights. Mike Bond an award-winning poet critically acclaimed novelist ecologist and war and human rights journalist is in the same tradition.Initially published by Lawrence Ferlinghetti in City Lights Books Bond has won multiple prizes for his poetry and prose and now brings the multitude of his diverse life to his remarkable new book of poetry. His poetry dances between reflections on the majesty of wilderness the joys and sorrows of love and passionate expressions of lifes greatest existential questions. Prefacing the book is Bonds insightful essay on why poetry is an essential part of cognitive awareness how we find meaning in the incomprehensible beautiful tragic and sacred mystery of life.Poetry Bond notes has existed since our Paleolithic days found not just in humans but also in the songs of wolves and whales and an imperative for everyone to enjoy. Reading poems enlarges our personal awareness of lifes exuberance its terrible destiny he says. To learn in our own lives from the visions of others.