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Note from Author John-Robert Curtin, Ph.D.: This 2nd Edition of my collection of poetry centers on my reflections on the concepts surrounding civility. Writing the poems has been restorative to me and to my understanding of this ancient concept of "civility."
Beginning with the traditional notion of manners and politeness (George Washington, Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior, 1744), and continuing to the more subtle concepts of compassion, dignity, human value, human worth, forgiveness, and self-dignity, this collection is an attempt to understand and explain a concept that has varied over time and through different cultures. The concept is often connected with civilization and civil because they share the same root word, but civility is more active, basic, and personal. "Being civil to one another is much more active and positive good than mere politeness or courtesy" (Robert B. Pippin, The Persistence of Subjectivity, 2005).
Illustrated by Ying Kit Chan
Ying Kit Chan has presented his artwork in over 200 exhibitions in the United States as well as in Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Germany, Korea, Japan, England, Hong Kong, Poland, Taiwan, Italy, Switzerland, and Portugal. He is presently a professor of art at the University of Louisville. Inspired by the Deep Ecology philosophy as well as Taoist and Buddhist ideologies, his work celebrates the richness and diversity of all life forms and contemplates the interconnectivity and harmony of our universe.
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