Louis Alan Swartz is the author of Constructed of Magic and Other Poems on the Immortality of the Human Spirit, in which he ruminates on what would life be like if you knew you were an immortal spiritual being. “It is my viewpoint that each man has his own unique magnificence regardless of race, religion, nation, tribe, station in life, customs and beliefs…” he writes.
Constructed of Magic and Other Poems on the Immortality of the Human Spirit is a refreshing collection of poems that explore the beauty of who we are as spiritual beings. Our ability to love, dream, create futures, even die with dignity, are all part of who we are and why we are here. These poems don’t pretend to give final answers to any of the big questions about life, but they do help us to look and come to our own understanding.
Here, Louis Alan Swartz tells us more about his ideas on the human spirit and shares a poem from his new book:
“I was asked to write something about the human spirit. I appreciate the invitation.To me, writing about the human spirit is writing about the happiest thing there is in the universe.
I have a certainty that the individual human spirit is immortal. This is not a certainty that I feel compelled to push off on others.. What a man believes is his sacred prerogative and is due an unconditional respect.
However, since I have been asked what I believe and what I know, I am happy to reply.It is my certainty that each individual person is immortal in the most practical sense. It is the concept that he is aware of himself as a personal being from life to life unconditionally. He, as a spiritual being does not know death. It is immortality as described in Webster’s Encyclopedic Dictionary: not liable or subject to death; undying; not liable to perish or decay. That says it quite clearly. The human spirit is immortal.
There is another aspect to this which is important to mention now that I have been asked.This individual spiritual being is possessed of certain qualities. Among these qualities is an enduring kindness and an unflagging willingness and desire to help his fellow man. These qualities are inherent.
There is more, much more, but this is a good start. Below is a section from a poem from my book, Constructed of Magic, that addresses this subject.”
Spirit
The actual spirit is neither gossamer*
nor ethereal* by nature,
though could be as it wished.
A spirit can be thunderous,
as solid and muscular as a Sumo Wrestler
or as sweet and soft as baby skin,
the wash of dew upon
an autumnal meadow
at dawn.
A spirit can be utterly robust
and in your face.
Belly laughter and drunken
passion, brawling, boisterous
and strong of lung
in one minute
and deer silent, delicately quiet
and alert in the next.
Give me an actual spirit
and I’ll give you the world.
*Gossamer—light, thin and filmy. Ethereal very light, airy. (Webster’s New World College Dictionary)
Constructed of Magic and Other Poems on the Immortality of the Human Spirit is available on Amazon.com at http://amzn.to/1NwGZBm.
Namaste!Becca Chopra, author of The Chakra Diaries, Chakra Secrets, Balance Your Chakras-Balance Your Life, and The Chakra Energy Dietwww.theChakras.org
