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" I think that some people are just naturally gifted in what they do but John has this natural intellect that will stir and motivate. I often equate him to a portal by which the ancient mysteries flow through. If you think it's strange it's not, just check out his ritual and you will see what I have already experienced."

- Robert Gibbons - Award winning poet & writer

Starlight

The stars seem so far away

they sparkle in my eyes

soft this light that touches me

maybe a million years past

these shining photons begun their journey

I float on this ancient light

raven flying in the night

higher and higher I soar

this light both present and past

in timeless beauty

lifts me upward

now a child wishing on starlight

my dreams dance upon this night

precious the gift of spirit

that can perceive such beauty

I am light, sparkling now

softly on the gentle breeze.

--John Maney, Jr. from Sufi Magazine, No. 40

The Art of John Maney

About four years ago, I had the good fortune of participating in a six-week poetry workshop led by John Maney at the Kingsbridge Library. From the very first session, John struck me as a dedicated and nurturing poetry instructor. That first workshop was dedicated to use of the senses in the craft of poetry, and after introducing the class to various poems on the theme, he was able to elicit wonderful writing from the group. I have since then attended other workshops that John has led on the same theme and found that, each time, I have learned something new, read new poems and gained new perspectives. No two classes on the same subject are ever the same. John has also led workshops on the theme of spirituality and the quest for wisdom in poetry. These I also attend repeatedly, and continue to be inspired, refreshed and, best of all, motivated to produce many new poems as a result. In pursuit of my craft, I have been an active participant in many workshops over the years, so to say that John Maney ranks top on my list of the best instructors of poetry, is not an overstatement. There is much evidence that John continuously studies, reads widely to present a vast selection of poetry and seeks new ways of using technology to enhance the workshop experience. He is indeed a lover of poetry, a dynamic teacher and nurturer of the art of writing poetry.

- Heather Archibald - Poet, English Professor