Dreamer

By Patrick J. Leach

In this and my other books of poetry and art I celebrate with you
this process of life, our dreams, our fantasies, and everything we
collectively know as the world.

The Operation

I
But I was awake
Reading the surgeon’s mind
He cut through bone
Removed part of my skull
Exposed the brain
Ran a gloved finger over the slick surface
Thinking, and now we cut inside
Remove this man’s mind
I woke to cloudy sky
Perspiration
Relief I still have my mind

II
The children walking to school in light rain
8:51 a.m.
Traffic heavy with commuters
A woman with white raincoat
Short skirt, black stockings, leather low heeled shoes
I can feel what she feels walking by

• Language: English
• Publisher: Patrick J. Leach
• Release date: Mar 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311616272

Patrick J. Leach

Patrick J. Leach lives in Portland, Oregon. An artist and a writer, Leach has written professionally for companies and universities. He is co-author with Frances Price Cook of a biography, The life and Art of C.S. Price.In 1995 he abandoned the corporate life, focusing on painting and poetry while earning money caring for neighborhood yards and homes.Leach has published over 16 books of poetry and art, available in print and eBook formats. Watch for more of his books combining his unique blend of poetry and art.Leach studied creative writing (poetry) at Cornell University (B.S. General Studies, 1972), and holds two Masters degrees from Washington State University (Sociology, Education). "I've always considered myself a writer. I've taken many paths, tried a variety of occupations, always returning to writing and art."

Book preview

A Book of Poetry and Art

by Patrick J. Leach

Copyright © 2015 by Patrick J. Leach

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book, or portions thereof, in any form whatsoever.

Images and text may be used in other publications only with written permission from the author, Patrick J. Leach.

Properly attributed brief quotations may be used listing the author’s name, title of poem and publication.

ISBN:  9781311616272

Publisher:  Smashwords, Inc.

Dedicated to all of us .....

The Seeker, 2011, 16 x 20", Acrylic

Acknowledgements

Many thanks to these talented people for helping me make this book possible:

Graphic design, cover art, and computer layout:  Charlie Blackmore

Photos:  Patrick Leach

Editing:  Jeana Kuziemski, Linda Anglin

Published or soon to be published books include:

The Tangle of Meanings,

Meditations on the Mysteries of Life,

Bare Trees, A Book of Poetry

Meditations on the Mysteries of Life

The Tangle of Meanings

Paintings of Patrick J. Leach, Volume One

Patrick J. Leach, Paintings Volume Two

Patrick J. Leach, Paintings Volume Three

In This Vast Sea of Stars

Blue

The Weight of the World

The Symphony of Being

The River of Life

Whirlpools of Silence

Dreamer

Morning Stillness

Snowflakes Gently Falling

The Life and Art of C. S. Price (with Frances Price Cook)

Dalynn, 2012, 10 x 20", Acrylic

The Sperm and the Egg, 2012, 11 x 14", Acrylic

Spider Me, 2014, 5 x 7", Acrylic

The Operation

I

But I was awake

Reading the surgeon’s mind

He cut through bone

Removed part of my skull

Exposed the brain

Ran a gloved finger over the slick surface

Thinking, and now we cut inside

Remove this man’s mind

I woke to cloudy sky

Perspiration

Relief I still have my mind

II

The children walking to school in light rain

8:51 a.m.

Traffic heavy with commuters

A woman with white raincoat

Short skirt, black stockings, leather low heeled shoes

I feel what she feels walking by

To survive her operation

Mind in tact

Gratitude for being alive

Walking in the rain

III

Now, in my car I take the long way home

Enjoy the drive

There will be time to work, to love,

To survive another day alive

To wonder what it will be like

On the other side

Talisman

Tall grass with its vibrant seed heads

bursting out, ready for the