The Fragmentation of Everything: Reflections of a Life Lived

By Jahnay Pickett

All of the poetry in this book is created to be read aloud as recitation or what used to called "oral interpretation." It is meant to be read with the feeling and passion as befits one's life. It reflects a life lived in re-searching and exploration--my life--but it reflects yours also. It is universal. It looks back upon and witnesses a life lived experientially, reflecting upon and witnessing our common human events and emotions. Hopefully at their core, these poems convey some explanations, understanding, and wisdom gained from traversing a very confusing complex world. I pass this on to you.

I am an Anthropologist. The wisdom of ancient and indigenous peoples took me in unexpected directions. Wisdom was not something I sought, but living this life, it just showed up one day on my doorstep. This shines through in Part 1: Spiritual Journeys in Form, both in What is Bliss? and Joy: Pulling the Lynchpin, wherein we express:
Love is not the opposite of Hate.
Sorrow is not the opposite of Joy.
Love and Joy exist.
They have no opposite.
They are the Heartbeat of All Unity.

In Part II: Ghostlands, I relay my physical, psychological and emotional journeys searching for the Lost Homeland, what I believe is a common human response...both a remembering of things loved, and a search for meaning--or comfort. Ghost Town: Search for the Lost Homeland, although specific to my life in Santa Fe, New Mexico, will be familiar to everyone's life, just by transposing the names, places, and occupations of those in their own "Lost Homeland'. Ghostlands: The Farm Women relates a poignant memory of an afternoon spent in the country at age 3 with two beautifully authentic farm women in their garden:
The golden glow of the sky's dome
Creates spectacular colors and hues intermingling with clouds,
Melding with the tree line,
Turning our late afternoon, our garden,
Into a magical, radiant Fairyland.
Their slow, belabored breathing
Becomes a dropped, unstated sigh,
As we experience the miracle of this vast, encompassing beauty.

I am too young to understand what this means to them--
All I know is that
I am safe, at peace, and deeply happy,
Sitting between these aged "Grandmothers,"
My little legs swinging
From the old wooden bench.

Part II's Dia de Los Muertos Requiem is the joyous celebration, known worldwide, wherein I recount "Those who have enriched my life." Again, I believe my experience is universal, and that many will identify with their own friends, family, and acquaintances, at least I hope so.

Part III: Law of Conditionality: The Tao of Unfolding contains only this: my attempt to convey my cumulative shamanic experiences, very much in tune with world creation myths, regarding The Cosmos' self-creation and its existence as consciousness:
Out of the Ocean of Everything,
Comes a stirring, a ripple
An awareness, but of What?
Silence abounds beyond description,
Vast
Silent
No-Thing-Ness...

I greatly appreciate your taking time to read this introduction to my little book of poems. I hope you, too, find joy and possibly even meaning and comfort in them.
Embrace your Innate Joy
You ARE the Residence and Resonance
Of God
...Go now...and be happy.....(Lynchpin)
Jahnay

Note: Each poem contains a relevant quote from a favorite poet--it's such a fun thing to do. Also, when addressing childhood, the phrase, "little dangling legs (or feet)" occurs in several different poems. I have left them in--in spite of "the rules." I believe the phrase paints such an accurate and indelible emotional portrait of all children, ages 2-5, that it is justified--much like Cat Stevens' cover on Tea for the Tillerman. I hope you, too, will be touched by this poignancy.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0CDNMNSW4
• ISBN13: 9798852213082
• Release Date: August 2023
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 84 Pages
• Weight: 0.22 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.0" x 8.0"