I decided to write a faith and life poetry collection, and I found myself sifting through countless authors, struggling to find something relatable in my life. Then it struck me: poetry is constantly in motion, woven into everyday moments—the quiet hum of a to-do list or the monotony of sorting through endless emails, hidden in the simplicity of life.

Nonetheless, I came to an understanding that if I wanted to be a poet, I had to find a sweet spot between my mundane life and the profoundly magical moments. All of that exists in daily life and nature. I always found my voice completely aligned with these two realms.

Beauty in the Branches is filled with poems inspired by the most ordinary events. Everyday moments, like being stuck in traffic or doing chores, sparked my creativity. Even while waiting at a red light, my thoughts drifted to a tree nearby. I found myself admiring its strength, initially frustrated but soon calmed by the simple beauty of its vibrant green leaves catching the afternoon sun. That sight, so serene yet striking, cut through my irritation. The noise of honking horns faded, replaced by the quiet resilience of a tree thriving on a grimy street corner. From that small moment of unexpected beauty and vitality, the seed of a poem was planted.

This is the alchemy of a poet's mind, I believe. We strive to transform the ordinary into a masterpiece of a poem. For me, the park path near my home might evoke the "pathless woods" that Byron so famously admired. Perhaps the "lonely shore" is the Charles River on a chilly Tuesday morning. The resilience of a small weed that pushes through the concrete to bloom as a flower mirrors the world Blake saw in it.

Yes, I do look for beauty every day. I am a strong supporter of taking a nice, long stroll for observational purposes only, without any specific destination in mind. When those observations meet the realities of contemporary life, however, the true magic occurs when the hectic pace of my day contrasts with the peace I have while watching a bird construct its nest.

It's the core of the message I intended Beauty in the Branches to deliver. At its core, my life poetry collection is a call to discover those moments. It’s a call for awakening and spiritual healing, a solace for people who want to find their way through the mundane life, finding meaning in each minute of the day—that is where the magic begins, and that is where the magic exists. It is for people who work 9-to-5 and still have the energy to pick up a book at the end of the day to find some peace. I want to juxtapose a hectic life and a moment of that silent solitude. Moments where you are forced to think and introspect and let go of all the worldly problems and sink deep into thought. All it needs is attention.

This process is reflected in my notebooks, where half a dozen scrawled lines capture moments like appreciating a horse’s life in a stable or feeling the wind on your face after a cold rain. It’s a blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary, coexisting seamlessly. My creativity thrives within this ecosystem, drawing parallels between nature and ourselves, down to our consciousness. It’s not a mere coincidence but a direct connection, as we search for the same meaning and connectivity. My poetry collection explores this unspoken connection and serves as an ode to it.

Don't wait for grand occasions; your life is already extraordinary. The present moment is what truly matters. Take a closer look—notice how the light shifts at the same time each day, listen to the rhythm of rain on the window, or admire the resilience of that houseplant you've nurtured for years. These small details reflect the natural world we constantly seek around us.

Ultimately, Poetry Surrounds You is an invitation to pause, to observe, and to find the deep, resonant connections between your inner world and the outer one. I hope that my readers will be inspired to see their own lives as a wellspring of poetic possibility, a place where the simple act of drinking a morning coffee or walking to the store becomes a moment of profound beauty. It's about recognizing that the world's great poems aren't just found in books; they are waiting to be written, one small, mindful moment at a time.

This collection, then, is more than just a book of my observations. It's a gentle nudge toward a richer, more observant way of living. It is a reminder that the most compelling stories and the most powerful verses are often found in the places we least expect—in the quiet stillness between tasks, in the flicker of a streetlight, or in the intricate patterns of a spider's web. Open your eyes to the poetry that's already there; you'll find it's been waiting for you all along.

Who knows? Maybe you'll become the next writer to craft a beautiful collection while washing dishes or jogging in the morning. To discover magic in the ordinary, embrace imagination and let your thoughts wander. You might just uncover a part of yourself you never realized was there. Join my poetry path.