The writer continues to write.
Patrick Frank
- Location
- Asheville, North Carolina, USA
- Birthday
- September 26
- Bio
- I am a poet-essayist-singer-songwriter, and advocate for the poor, with a teaching and counseling background. I grew up in Florida, now live in Asheville, North Carolina. I also lived in New England 20 years.
I love nature, music, and poetry. I am married and we have three adult-kids between us and four grandkids!
I am interfaith, leaning toward Taoist, Celtic, and Native American spirituality, and an "Obama Democrat."
Currently, I am working on poetry and prose as well as publishing political columns. I am also phone banking nationally for Obama.
MY RECENT POSTS
- My View of Meditation
May 12, 2013 02:59PM - Nontraditional haiku
May 12, 2013 11:29AM - The Good Side of Southern
Populism
May 11, 2013 07:43PM - Walls Crumbling around You in
a Dream?
May 11, 2013 07:35AM - Learning from Our Cats
May 10, 2013 07:27AM
MY RECENT COMMENTS
- “I don't think I'd say it
is a toxin. At some points it
may
safe one's life.”
May 13, 2013 01:08PM - “For now, I'll stick
w/the breathe through the
day,
concentrate on the
breaths met…”
May 13, 2013 03:34AM - “Oh, silence can be a
killer too. It can be used
that
way.”
May 08, 2013 10:12AM - “Passive-aggression is
more likely to be a
verbal
assault.”
May 08, 2013 07:58AM - “It just means being
hostile in a sneaky way. It
doesn't make
me feel
well-educate…”
May 08, 2013 07:24AM
Patrick Frank's Links
Dealing with setbacks and pressing on with creativity
I hit a wall creatively yesterday and mainly relaxed watching TV and napping and that sort of thing, while feeling somewhat guilty. I think it is important to figure out why these moments occur, in real time. In this instance, I think that producing a new chapbook of song lyrics and… Read full post »
Thank God...Yes, We Did!
Letter for Obama published in USA Today
Letter to the editor:
I voted early in North Carolina, for Barack Obama, and straight Democratic. It felt good. It does every time, but especially this time.
This election is so crucial, with an extreme right candidate in the race (despite Mitt Romney's… Read full post »
politics, creative writing, teaching, health, meditation
*I will phone bank for Obama one more time on Monday. It's been a long journey from late 2007. But worth it to support a man w/integrity, authenticity, creativity and intelligence. Win or lose, I do not regret for one minute what I have done, however much it is a drop… Read full post »
It's a crazy week, weather-wise, and politically
Reflections for the Creative Person
Reflections for the Creative Person
A random approach to creativity can prove to be very fruitful.
A true friend listens, does not judge and provides encouragement.
At the root of anxiety is the feeling of loss of control.
At the root of love is trust.
Consider… Read full post »
Dream work and dealing with out-of-control situations
I have started to remember my dreams again, and think this is a healthy thing, to bring anxieties to the surface, get them out where I can look at them clearly. It makes me feel better mentally and physically.
First, I dreamed that I failed a test. The trouble with a test… Read full post »
The Ballad of Joe Malone (song lyric)
If you would like to hear an mp3 I made of this song, email me at patrickgfrank@gmail.com Patrick
Ballad of Joe Malone and Me
When Joe Malone rides out one night exploring
destiny
Will fate demand he sell his soul… Read full post »
New England Man and a way to listen (lyrics)
Folks have been asking me for a way to listen to my songs. If you email me at patrickgfrank@gmail.com I will attach an mp3 of this song. Patrick
New England Man
There is an old New England man, still he teaches how to sail, waves and tide are always new to… Read full post »
America at the crossroads
With less than two weeks to go in the election, and involved in phone banking for Obama to Ohio, it's hard for me to concentrate on creative projects. And I've hit some roadblocks, creatively. never mind, this too will pass.
I feel pretty good physically and mentally. There's a new poem… Read full post »
What if Obama wins, what if he loses?
What If Obama Wins, What If He Loses
What if President Obama wins, what if he loses? A crucial question for the country. If Obama wins, a lot depends on who controls the House and Senate. But even more than that, a lot depends on the willingness of both sides… Read full post »
Creativity
Being creative is not a hobby. It is a way of life.
What if Obama wins, what if he loses?
What if President Obama wins, what if he loses? A crucial question for the country. If Obama wins, a lot depends on who controls the House and Senate. But even more than that, a lot depends on the willingness of both sides to sit down and dialogue—and yes—compromise on key issues,… Read full post »
Politics, music, sports, high school reunion, nonfiction, OS
We have come back from the high school reunion in Delray Beach and have landed in a much much more relaxing spot on Crescent Beach. Just too much conspicuous consumption down there for my taste. I am not thr 1%. Not even the 53%. I don't fit in any more, if I ever… Read full post »
No, Obama did not have his butt kicked and other stuff
Random thoughts:
No, Obama did not have his butt kicked, as one OS pundit said. But he will be much more assertive the second time around. Americans can spot a phony a mile away. The phony is not Obama. Obama was centered and told the truth. Romney was relaxed but lied… Read full post »
The Debate
I thought that Barack did fine. He was statesmanlike, while Romney was relaxed but told a lot of lies. Both men held their own.
Will the pundits please shut up with their instant declarations of who won or lost? Foi many of them, it seems to be all about them. inflated… Read full post »
Rumination, mindful reflection, dream work
Random thoughts:
Rumination is not useful; dream work and mindful reflection can lead to greater understanding of the self and external reality. Some times I lie awake after waking up and just run over worries or concern seemingly endlessly, getting nowhere in terms of enhanced insight… Read full post »
Creativity and sharing in a variety of settings
I hit another dry spell, creatively, but seem to have broken the logjam. For me, writing and submitting are closely connected, and when I have no clear idea where I want to send material, the writing itself seems to dry up.
It is analogous to writing songs and performing them. If… Read full post »
Cat Dreams (prose-poetry)
1
A chipmunk on our stoop, her neck broken,
our Fiona transitioning to a feral cat. We love her, regardless.
Her taste of freedom has turned into an obsession. Yet, she comes
back sometimes at night, for scratching and solace. Somehow she
must know that winter is not so far off,… Read full post »
Birthday week, 2012
Monday, birthday week. Feel this is another beginning. Feel clean inside and out. Healing of past trauma. New hopes and dreams. A man in the White House I respect and like. Good news in the campaign. And the end in sight. This has been the most brutal
Driving South into the Blue Ridge (poetry)
"Love is a temple, love's a Higher Law...
One life, one love, you've got to do what you should...
We carry each other, carry each other..."
driving south
into the Blue Ridge
listening to U2
I feel the quiet of the dawn
the stars are still blazing
another year passes...
the… Read full post »
Developing a book of sayings and a comment on Romney
I am working on a new book of 100 great sayings, and have reached a hundred. A few examples:
"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one" (Mother Teresa)
"I don't think of all the misery but of the beauty that still remains" (Anne Frank)
"He who truly… Read full post »
Time to Go Straight to the Heart of the Matter
Go straight to the heart of the matter. Don't beat around the bush or play games. Life is too short to speak in code or resort to sarcasm. On the political scene, we must call a spade a spade. In my view, that means calling out those on the extreme right… Read full post »
I Will Stand (original song lyric)
I Will Stand (for Barack Obama)
I will stand with this good man, I will stand with you, my friend, because he calls on us, to dream again
I will stand with this good man, though we may lose and we may win,… Read full post »
Politics, creative writing, music, at-risk kids, OS
A good day tutoring at-risk kids. These kids have so many challenges and need encouragement, not condemnation. Yes, they have made mistakes. Who of us hasn't? They are very concerned over voting rights and health care issues. They know black men in their community who are ex-offenders and felons and… Read full post »
Patrick Frank's Favorites
Updates
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An Independent Publishing Plan For This Summer
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Prayers to Moore, Oklahoma Parents Tonight
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Packing my Buddhas
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I'm Going to Start Drinking Booze
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How can this not be viral? Hilarious and terrifying both
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Tearless the Enemies of Peace
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BREAKING NEWS: Chicago Guy (a story)
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Amend the 2nd Amendment (Repost)
Salon.com