New and Selected Poems Paperback – February 14, 2026

AcknowledgementsUpon realizing that my previous full-length publication was my nineteenth book (gasp!), it struck me that a “new and selected” volume of poetry might be in order. Seven of those nineteen had been books of poetry, after all. My new and amazing publisher, Robert Eugene Perry, of Metaphysical Fox Press, enthusiastically agreed. And so, this book came to be.No surprise that my first published book of poetry was the chapbook Christine Day, Love Poems. My Lovely Christine has been the source, path, and destination of my entire life, writing included. (I very much want to acknowledge the late, great Richard Fox, friend and brother extraordinaire, for making that book possible).My students and our experiences together in and out of the classroom largely created my second book of poems, Realm of Blessing.Art of Enlightenment is rooted in the process of my parents’ passing, and my process in response.Then came the magic! Little Ghosts on Castle Floors is subtitled Poems Informed by the Potterverse — a symbology and archetypeture increasingly essential to my understanding of and interaction with the world. More poetic exploration of this to come! (Gratitude to the students and TA’s of my Harry-Potter-themed classes).2023 saw both a chapbook, How Air Is and the full-length What Your Jewish Friends Are Thinking, exploring the precious roots and ever unfurlings of life. Communities of faith and friendship deserve much of the credit for these volumes.And this year saw a Poetry Mage join forces with a Metaphysical Fox, the first of hopefully many such magical collaborations!It would be the height of ingratitude to leave unacknowledged here the contributions of Bill Milhomme, Deborah Leipziger, William Kerin Rizos, Carolyn Martin, Sara Letourneau, and the poets of Pour Me a Poem, Mansfield, MA. Book twenty belongs to all of you, as well.Final word goes to Shekinah, the Indwelling Presence, the Goddess. Virtually every morning, a new poem opens with my waking eyes – indeed, I am not so much an author as Her receptionist, Her transcriptionist, Her automatic writer.“For the sake of the union of the Blessed Holy One and the Shekinah, I give thanks and recommit myself to the mitzvah ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ And for this alone do I open my mouth.”Gratefully,Wayne-Daniel Read more