Deriving meaning through the varied incarnations of this life journey, Hank Blackwell appears as a Renaissance man, through seasons of love, longing, loss, grace, and grit. He brings us along in discovering the divine on the way, ultimately sharing his insights, choreographed into this bright rich tapestry of poems. Delight and despair, reflections and observations are woven into a compelling collection of moments of intimacy and universal truths, honed by the perspectives gathered in becoming this thoughtful poet. A collection to be treasured.

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There is a discrepancy in aging. Bodies, inside and out, change. Life changes as well. Our minds sometimes stay young, willing us on, deluding us as well. Much of aging isn’t pretty. Physical appearances and abilities shift with increasing rapidity. Concern regarding the loss of memory and the ability to care for oneself loom large as we age. We become more vulnerable. This collection of thoughts offers a means of revealing some of the challenges, comedies, and beauty of our last chapters. It is a “heads up” for those behind me to understand that the best way to prepare for old age and dying is to live now, fully and wholly.
We need the experience and wisdom of those elders who have survived crises, intolerance, and hatred, and held steady their knowledge of compassion. As our children and grandchildren inherit possibility, the older ones still must assume the great responsibility of mentoring and guiding. It is up to us to believe in those behind us, and share what we have experienced to make better the world.

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Over thirty years ago, New Mexico Men’s Wellness sponsored the publication of a men’s poetry anthology, Talking from the Heart. Now, A Wind Blows Through Us, celebrates that first collection as well as the beauty and promise of the current male experience. As was said in the first anthology “Each poem is a glimpse into the rich interior life of the man who wrote it. We believe that the avenues leading to healing and reconciliation, to redefinition and harmony, are revealed in the mysteries of poetic language. Each poem is a message sent from one human heart to another.

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