Reflections from the Forest House

By Nancy Puglisi

Honest musings draw readers into the vortex of reflection and renewal

A gentle heart and questioning mind ponder the verisimilitudes of life

The joys and peace derived from observing nature, the shared intimacy and bonds of lovers, friends and family, the rich experience and adventure of travel, ruminations on an eclectic medley of issues and topics comprise this latest reflective anthology of poet Nancy J. Puglisi. Her poems capture moments that give birth to beautiful memories evoking the readers own emotions and reflections. Poems such as Flashing Light, Watching, and Forest Music reference experiences shared by many who direct their attention to the natural world. The depths of love and passion are expressed in poems such as Delightful, Surprise, Seeing, and Together. Mothers Day, Brothers, Nantucket Friends, and Remembering the 50s focus on the ties of family and the precious connections with friends.

Despite the gentle tenor of many of her poems, Puglisi confronts the reader with her thoughts and feelings on several controversial topics prompting the reader to examine his or her own position. Dont Ask Dont Tell, In Defense of What, and Our Non-Civil Union address controversies surrounding and within the arena of gay rights while poems such as Depleting Resource, questioning energy production and consumption, or Emotional Roller Coaster which contrasts the fleeting joy of the holiday season with the reality of human suffering, highlight the complex issues and often harsh realities of life.

Puglisi has honed her thoughtful approach to observing life through her examination of a variety of philosophies, most notably Buddhism, which is reflected in selections such as Breathing, Breath, and Contemplation. She is inspired to consider the value and beauty of everyday realities common to many. Her relaxed style and down-to-earth approach to poetry provides a very readable quality to her work that can be appreciated by even the most confirmed poetry-phobe. Use the images and emotions Puglisi shares in this newest collection to inspire your own journey of reflection and renewal.

Puglisi is also the author of Fishing Without A Hook, Catching Moments At Work, a similarly reflective anthology of poetry related to the ups and downs of the work experience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 27, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465307460

Nancy Puglisi

Breath The fragile awareness Of being And Non-being Consciousness housed In cellular matter For an undetermined time Supports life Air moving In and out In accordion motion Measures out Precious time Finite Moments Nancy Puglisi, Ph.D. is a faculty member at Plymouth State University in the graduate school where she is the Director of the Personal Approaches to Transformation and Healing, PATH, Institute and Organizational Approaches to Transformation and Healing, OATH, Institute. Dr. Puglisi is also the Director of Organizational Health for the University System of New Hampshire where she created and leads one of the first health promotion programs for faculty and staff in higher education. Reflections from The Forest House is an eclectic collection of poetry capturing reflective moments in space and time. Puglisi’s first book, Fishing without a Hook - Catching Moments at Work was published in 2009.

Book preview

Copyright © 2011 by Nancy Puglisi, PhD.

Library of Congress Control Number:          2011961148

ISBN:                      Hardcover                      978-1-4653-0745-3

                                 Softcover                      978-1-4653-0744-6

                                 Ebook                            978-1-4653-0746-0

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

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Xlibris Corporation

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www.Xlibris.com

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Contents

To Sands

Preface

Chapter 1

Breathing

Breath

Contemplation

Sitting

Flashing Light

Firebug Fireworks

Watching

Dawn

Forest Music

Lightning and Thunder

Sanctuary

Natural Routine

Almost Full Moon

National Park

Eclipse

Fundamentals

Superiority

Depleting Resource

Home

Uncovering

Favorite Garden

Early Morning

Colors

Autumn Chores

November Day

Fall

Fawn

Pre-Thanksgiving

Natural Changes

Life Glow

Snowfall

Shoveling Snow

Changeable Weather

Nirvana

Emotional Roller Coaster

Another Christmas

Whitefield

A Normal Day

Lonely People

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell

Hate

In Defense of What

Chapter 2

Limited Infinity

Lucky

Delightful

Sands

Surprise

Before Sleep

Impressions

Alice B. Toklas

Seeing

Missing You

Catching Up

Flirtation

Resting

Afternoon Out

Court of Queens

Dictator

Repeat

Demanding

The Two-Seater

Birthday

Belated Birthday

Red Roses

Twenty Seventh Valentine’s Day

Reminiscing

Together

Quiet Possibilities

Our Non-Civil Union

Past Love

Memory

Actress

Dream Death

Without a Doubt

Seasons of Change

Loss

Remembrance

Chapter 3

Mother’s Day

Relieved

Aging

Great-Grandmother

Loving Family

Dad

Remembering

Brothers

Step-daughter

Grown-up

Family

Nantucket Friends

Barbara

False Friend

Deserter

Longtime Friend

Counselor

Best Friend

Mutt and Jeff

Recalling the