In the Presence of Beauty
New and Selected Poems
by Michael Dow

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With remarkable attention to detail, a broad range of knowledge, and an obvious love of language, Dow moves between detailed nature poems, poems about personal grief, lyrical love poems, and narrative poems of times spent in far-off places. With compassion and clarity, In the Presence of Beauty explores Buddhist subjects and Dow's own deep spiritual experiences, while also considering the beauty and sacredness of everyday family life.

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Michael Dow's poetry and translations have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. He was a gold medal winner in the "All Nations Poetry Contest" judged by Donald Hall. The contest had entries from 34 nations. His winning poems were read into the "Congressional Record Vol. 122." Appreciation for Michael Dow's Poetry "Michael Dow is an accomplished poet whose work articulates a mature, honest vision derived from deeply considered personal experience that he consistently transforms into universals. It is a rare pleasure to read a poet with such a satisfying range of method and subject matter." Wright Morris "As a writer, Michael Dow speaks with certainty. His poetry is inspired and inspiring. I particularly like his attitude toward life and toward others that resonates throughout his work. His poetry is beautiful, elegant, and moving. It is very accessible. He acknowledges conventions and traditions, but transforms them by his own fine idealism and integrity. Everything he writes has an exceptional quality." Kay Boyle

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Michael Dow’s poetry and translations have been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. He published one book of poetry, Secrets of Migration (Millstone Press 1981) and edited one collection of poetry, Voices of the Wineland (Alta Napa Press 1980). As an editor at Dharma Publishing, he edited and wrote Volume three of the Annals of the Nyingma Lineage in America (Dharma Publishing 1985). As an Area Coordinator of California Poets in the Schools, he published a collection of student writing accompanied by poet-teacher lesson plans, A Poem in Every tree, 1981. At S. F. State, Dow was twice a winner in the Academy of American Poets College Contest. In 1974, he was a gold medal winner in Triton College’s All Nations Poetry Contest, judged by the late Donald Hall. All three of his poems from the contest were published in the Congressional Record Vol. 122, March 17, 1976. Dow taught English and creative writing at San Francisco State University, Sonoma State University, and Napa Valley College. He taught a variety of courses in Tibetan Buddhist studies at the Nyingma Institute. As a member of Tarthang Tulku Rinpoche’s Nyingma Centers, he served as Dean of the Tibetan Nyingma Institute and an editor for Dharma Publishing, and completed a traditional three-year, three-month retreat at Odiyan Tibetan Nyingma Retreat Center.

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Michael Dow