This article sponsored by:

Poemcrazy is the poetic analog to Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird or Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones, two classic works on how to forget that you "can't write" and just start the pen moving. Susan Wooldridge is a swimming instructor in the wide ocean of language, encouraging us to move ever farther from the shore, dive deep, and dance on the waves.

A Poetry Handbook This slender guide by Mary Oliver deserves a place on the shelves of any budding poet. In clear, accessible prose, Oliver (winner of both the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award for poetry) arms the reader with an understanding of the technical aspects of poetry writing. Her lessons on sound, line (length, meter, breaks), poetic forms, tone, imagery, and revision are illustrated by a handful of wonderful poems. What could have been a dry account is infused throughout with Oliver's passion for her subject, which she describes as "a kind of possible love affair between something like the heart (that courageous but also shy factory of emotion) and the learned skills of the conscious mind." One comes away from this volume feeling both empowered and daunted. Writing poetry is good, hard work.

In 1998 Michael established Point of Life, Inc., as a vehicle to project his philosophy and spiritual understanding. The website www.pointoflife.com and the associated newsletter (Point Of Life Global Newsletter) are visited and read by thousands of people around the world every month. Michael is a frequent speaker on radio, television and at seminars where he shares and discusses his views about the purpose of life, finding peace and enjoyment and leading a healthy, stress-free life.

In just a few years he has become a world renowned poet. In 2002 Michael was invited to become a member of the prestigious Templeton Speaker's Bureau.

Michael has recently established the Point of Life Foundation, a National Heritage Foundation dedicated to bridging the gap between science and religion and to bringing a clear, unbiased message to the general public to help them lead a meaningful, sharing and enjoyable existence. Starting in 2003 the Point of Life Foundation will present seminars and conferences bringing together opinion leaders from the fields of science, religion, medicine, philosophy and nutrition to help find common guidelines for leading a purposeful life.

Michael Levy is the author four books

  His poetry and essays now grace many web sites, Journals and Magazines throughout the world.
Web Sites : http://www.pointoflife.com , http://www.polfoundation.org
E-mail: mikmikl@aol.com

Selected Poems

The Final Movie by Michael Levy   

In the end
all the good guys
and
all the bad guys
Die
The only object left
on the surface of planet earth
is an old billboard
with letters missing
that reads;
Watch — Space
For All Future Attractions
And Sequels
Silence is Go---n?
*******************

The Seminar by Michael Levy

The financial adviser
was a man in his late seventies
He spluttered, botched and muddled
his way through a one hour seminar
The senile audience applauded
his presentation
They said they would definitely
let him invest their money
Which goes to prove
Stupidity sells.
*************
Question by Michael Levy

They asked me;
do you make a living
via your composing-
by your poetry?
I answered;
Composing is life-
Poetry is living!
***********

Just thoughts by Michael Levy.

The cowboy builder
Now retired
Could not get an erection!
***************
The doctor said
He died of natural causes
Age thirty-five?
**************
What a performance
Sex beneath the Big Top
Carnival knowledge
***************
What's In A Name? By Michael Levy.

The Stock Exchange,
Straddled with Bulls, Bears and Stags,
A faux farmhouse,
Mask the... pen and ink!
Time and money to invest,
What's the option?
Perhaps a change of name..........
The Rascal House?
Call; for a pastrami-on-rye
Put; on plenty of ketchup and mustard
Order executed and ful-filled
**************