Graybeard Abbey: metaphors, mumblings and meditations

“Graybeard Abbey” is the thirteenth book from Gavin Geoffrey Dillard — poet, playwright, songwriter, librettist, and comedy writer to the stars. Though the book is in poetic form, including free verse, koans, haiku, and traditional waka form, “Graybeard Abbey” also is a journal of a year on the poet’s wee tea farm in Southern Appalachia, capturing the seasons and their foibles, the dramas of the woods and field and their critters, and life with eight obstreperous kitties. Once a gay icon and noted romantic poet, Dillard now turns to paganism, naturism, and Taoism for emotional content, spiritual edification, and poetic flavor. Having been described as a cross between Rumi and Gary Larson, Gavin sets his noetic wits on the tribulations, myths and magic of forest and farm life. From the author of “In the Flesh—Undressing for Success,” and the award-winning opera, “When Adonis Calls,” come more tales of flesh and spirit in rural America.