Chasing Cosmic Butterflies: Second Edition

By Donald T. Iannone

Allow me to introduce you to this second edition of Chasing Cosmic Butterflies. The journey began with the initial release of the book in 2016, and since then, the ideas behind this book have evolved. This collection of poems delves into the enchantment of reality and the reality of enchantment. It's a treasury of poems infused with contemplativ

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wisdom Work Press
• Release date: Apr 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798869284266

Donald T. Iannone

Don Iannone's poetry has inspired, comforted, and entertained readers since the early 1990s. "Chasing Cosmic Butterflies" is one his most popular poetry collection, which was first published in 2018. Because of its popularity, Don committed himself to a rewrite of the book, adding new poems, rewriting many existing poems, and including analyses of several poems in the book. Don serves as a faculty member at Transcontinental University. Don is the author of twenty-four books that cover nonfiction, poetry, and photography. Born in the steel and coal regions of Eastern Ohio, Don's early life in Martins Ferry and St. Clairsville lends a genuine depth to his life story. He and his wife live in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Don holds doctorates in Divinity and Philosophy.

Book preview

Chasing Cosmic Butterflies

Chasing Cosmic Butterflies

Chasing Cosmic Butterflies

Second Edition

Donald T. Iannone

Wisdom Work Press

Contents

Dedication

Foreword

Wisdom Work Press

Poetry's Role in My Life

About this Collection

Poems

Chasing Cosmic Butterflies

Deep Friends

Awaiting the Sailboats Reawakening

A Soldier on Leave Shares His Story

Winter Paints December on Lake Erie

To Derk

Cosmic Reflections by a Butterfly

Passion in Our Twilight Years

Buy Me a Buddha

The Sweet Smell of Life

When Passion's Fire Consumes Us

I Can't Help but Wander by the Lake

2 AM Reflections

Praying for a Soft Landing

Smiling Man in the Employment Line

Watching a Farm Awaken in Early Spring

December Morning

Boys Climbing Trees

November Sparrow

Her First Christmas Without Him

The Cosmic Voyage of a Unicorn

Getting Old Doesn’t Mean No Fun

We Wait Too Long

Bobbing Ponytail

Birth of a Cosmic Butterfly

Men Who Don’t Wear Underpants

Surviving Our Horseshit Economy

Working in a Digital Factory

A Winter Drive through the Countryside

Picking Country Songs on Dad’s Old Guitar

Where I Come From

Life Between Trash Pickups

Adventures of the Mockingbird Nerd

Cumberland Island

The Ancient Tree Drummer

When Ducks Go to College

The Red Fox Who Ate Hot Chili Peppers

Revenge on the Dog Who Ate the Cat’s Food

Cosmic Poo-Poo

Grandma’s Reindeer Ride through Downtown Cleveland

A Funny Twist on Robert Frost

Horseplay at the Double Star

Rethinking Leftovers

Feline Tornado at 1:56 AM

Under the Buckeye’s Watchful Branches

Snowy Forest Peace

Cleveland's Emerald Necklace

The Crickets' Autumn Song

Boys Playing by the Side of a Dusty Road

Cat’s Play

Frampton’s Guitar Magic

Watching Mantle Play

Alone with Myself

Autobiography

Ladies of the Night

Cosmic Heart

Buttheads

Derko and Donnie: To Their Tucson Days

Adventures on the Magic Bus to the Land of Vines and Honey

A Grandfather Reflects on His Two Grandsons

Buckeyes

A Beauty Pageant for Bulldogs

Economic Development

Politics and Politicians

Savoring Autumn in a Field

An Ode to My Grandson Evan

To Mary

Tilly

What’s the World Coming to?

A Tribute to James Wright

Artificial Intelligence

A Tribute to Martins Ferry’s Purple Riders

To St. Clairsville, My High School Home

A Tribute to Rock and Roll Music

A Tribute to the World to Come

Finale

Poem Analysis

About the Author

Dedication

Dedicated to Derk Janssen, my dear friend since 1970 when we first crossed paths as students at the University of Arizona in Tucson. Derk's unexpected passing in 2014 was a profound loss felt by his family, friends, clients, and students alike. Our enduring friendship throughout the years revolved around the pursuit of what I fondly refer to as cosmic butterflies. These ethereal pursuits guided us towards wisdom, love, forgiveness, cherished moments of joy, laughter, and a generous dose of humor, among many other treasures.

Notably, Derk's daughter, Melissa Waters, undertook the admirable task of compiling and editing Derk's third book of poetry, Toward the Mountain, which was released in October 2023. This remarkable collection of Derk's poems delves into the journey of discovering our spiritual path up life's metaphorical mountain. The serendipitous synchronicity of our two books finding their way into the world at the same time can be attributed to the cosmic butterflies that Derk and I both held dear.

Adiós, amigo,

Don Iannone

Foreword

Allow me to introduce you to this second edition of Chasing Cosmic Butterflies. The journey began with the initial release of the book in 2016, and since then, the ideas behind this book have evolved. In this renewed edition, many of the poems have undergone a significant transformation, carefully reworked to resonate with the ever-shifting landscapes of today's world. Today, I find myself embracing laughter, both at the world and at my own foibles, more wholeheartedly than I did back in 2016. The reader will find considerable humor in this version of the book.

Cosmic butterflies, a whimsical metaphor for our deepest dreams, fantasies, visions, and ultimate life goals, flutter through the very fabric of our existence. Much like the ethereal and delicate creatures they evoke, these aspirations are a source of boundless beauty and wonder in our lives. They represent the profound yearnings that drive us forward, the aspirations that stretch the limits of our imagination, and the relentless pursuit of that which makes us feel most alive. In the grand tapestry of human existence, we are all cosmic butterfly chasers. These dreams, whether they involve achieving personal success, experiencing profound love, making a lasting impact on the world, or simply finding happiness, are the threads that weave our life stories. They inspire us to spread our wings and venture into the unknown, to dance with the possibilities of the cosmos, and to embrace the extraordinary potential that resides within each of us. As we chase these cosmic butterflies, we not only discover the brilliance of our own existence but also contribute to the ever-evolving narrative of the universe itself.

As a special treat, I have included a section at the end of the book containing my analysis of fifteen of the book’s poems. As a preface, the poems in this book reflect my desire for rhyme and musicality in my life. The writing of this collection was guided by this desire.

Don Iannone

Wisdom Work Press

At Wisdom Work Press, we define wisdom as the conscious integration of knowledge, experience, reflective understanding, and a measured tolerance for life's uncertainties and its continuous changes. Personal wisdom is most important, which requires self-knowledge, discipline, and self-leadership. These qualities ensure that we walk the wisdom path through life. Our publications and services help others to discover and mount their wisdom paths in life. We are located in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. Website: https://wisdomworkpress.wordpress.com/

Poetry's Role in My Life

Life has its own soundtrack, a rhythm that dances between the quiet whispers of dawn and the vibrant energy of the day. In my life, poetry is that rhythm, the melody that harmonizes every moment. Writing poetry for me goes beyond a mere pastime; it’s like wearing glasses that transform the mundane into something spectacular. It offers me a deeper dive into the essence of living, capturing moments that resonate with authenticity.

The spark of my poetic journey was ignited by my father, the early-bird poet. Before his day at Sylvania Electric began, he’d weave words together, embodying more than his role as a millwright—he was a wizard of verses. His morning rituals of crafting poetry painted my initial understanding of its power: to transform silence into expression, fleeting thoughts into enduring insights.

The urge to write poetry hits me like a sudden inspiration. Ideas, or fragments thereof, often ambush me, compelling me to translate them into words until the essence of these thoughts is fully captured. This process is not merely about creation but an irresistible calling to explore and articulate the whirlwind inside. In these moments, I find my truest self, fully engaged and alive.

Poetry serves as my lens, magnifying the subtleties of life, allowing me to encapsulate vast emotions and complex thoughts in succinct, powerful phrases. It bridges my logical and imaginative selves, demanding adherence to form—through structure, rhythm, and meticulous word choice—while simultaneously inviting creative liberty.

But poetry is more than adherence to form; it’s an invitation to play within and beyond these boundaries. When rhyme enters the equation, life feels like it’s set to music, making even the ordinary