This book entitled The Nature of Life is meant to be a sequel to the book A Beautiful Tragedy. The author J.P. LaRue takes the reader on a journey through all the seasons and moods of Mother Nature, with some added life lessons along the way. The Nature of Life describes the exquisite beauty and stark cruelty that is found in all of nature. The poems in this book portray many of the contrast that are found in life and in nature, along with powerful imagery and deep meaning. This book reflects the author's love of the outdoors. The author J.P. LaRue is blind. This book, The Nature of Life along with his other titles, was written entirely by using Morse code. It is a testament to his creativity and to his appreciation of life and nature that inspired this book.

The Nature of Life

Volume 2By J.P. LaRue

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2012 J.P. LaRue
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4772-5735-7

Chapter One

    Alaska


    Starlight flashes, moonlight splashes,
    And the Northern Lights dance across the sky.
    An icy wind howls through the trees and the lone wolf cries.
    The ivory gleams and the hot springs steam,
    As the mosquitoes exact their toll.
    The majestic peaks, the icy creeks, and a glimmer of gold.


    Beauty

    Walking through the fallen leaves,
    Down the path and through the trees.
    With the pale sun on my shoulders, there is a nip in the crisp fall air.
    I walk along as the bits of color fall all around me,
    Floating softly down.
    Torn from their lofty perch,
    The leaves in their dying colors gently fall to the earth.
    As I continue treading forward,
    Wading through the sea of color,
    I look around me in awe and wonder.
    I pause to gaze upon the beautiful scene,
    Taking a mental picture in my mind.
    For nature's beauty lasts such a brief time.


    Black and White

    In the light of day and in the dark of night
    Stuck somewhere between heaven and hell on an endless flight.
    Will I ever land? I cannot tell.
    You can stuff your pockets with precious gold or worthless lead,
    It doesn't really matter;
    You can't take it with you when you are dead.
    Wind, water, fire, and ice
    Go ahead and jump; you only live twice.
    I believe the choices we make here on earth,
    May follow us into the next life.
    So love while you still can
    Try not to get into too much trouble
    Try to do what's right,
    'Cause most of us only have one life.


    My Minnesota

    I have stood upon the high barren cliffs to watch the sunrise break
    Over the most superior of all ten thousand lakes.
    This is my Minnesota.

    I have walked across the start of the Mississippi river,
    Where it is born from the algae-covered rocks.
    This is my Minnesota.

    I have stood in the deep portage where the voyagers rested
    Before pushing on into the boundary waters, to the lands beyond.
    This is my Minnesota.

    I have hiked and climbed in the stone quarries at Sandstone
    And I have swum in the deep iron pits of Cuyuna,
    Where the waters are always icy cold.
    This is my Minnesota.

    I have seen the prairie winds blow through a sea of wild flowers
    And buffalo grass stretching to the horizon like an endless green sea.
    This is my Minnesota.

    I have walked on water and I have lived among the saints,
    Such as Paul, Joseph, and Saint Cloud.
    This is my Minnesota.

    I have walked through a virgin forest untouched by the hand of man
    And I have been to the sister cities full of noise and traffic jams.
    This is my Minnesota.

    I have gazed upon the gooseberry, Taylor, and Minnie haha falls.
    I have also slept in the blue earth before the foot of cliff walls.
    This is my Minnesota.

    I hold these memories close to my heart.
    They are part of me, when I travel afar.
    This is my Minnesota


    Black Sun

    As dusk turns to night,
    As dawn turns to day.
    The sunlight streams in, to chase the darkness away.
    It splashes against the windowsills,
    It pools upon the floor.
    It drips down the walls,
    To seep through the cracks in the door.
    As evening approaches,
    Another day is gone.
    As the sun slips away,
    The shadows grow long.
    The darkness creeps in,
    Turning day into night.
    Like a black fog, it swallows all the light.
    As long as the sun chases the moon
    Around earth, once a day.
    Day and night are here to stay.


    Blind Man

    Close your eyes and open your ears,
    Now I want you to tell me what you see.
    Can you see the wind rustle through the leaves?
    Can you see the birds singing in the trees?
    Can you see the warm face of the sun smiling down?
    Can you see the fresh cut grass of the lawn?
    Can you see the white clouds, as they float past overhead
    Casting cool shadows upon the ground?
    Calm down; take a deep breath; it will be all right.
    The next time life has you stressed out,
    Just relax and close your eyes.


    The River

    Into each life a few tears must be shed.
    For in order to keep the river of life flowing,
    It must first be fed.
    The river of life has many tributaries,
    Some are great,
    And some are small.
    We are all bound to the river.
    For the river of life, flows through us all.
    Sometimes the water can appear muddy.
    Due to storms, confusion and pain.
    Other times the water is crystal clear,
    Serene,
    And very tame.
    Your path along the river can be rocky at times.
    Your path can be impassable at times.
    Forcing you to detour,
...