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Author - Poet - Speaker

writing across what divides us

I began writing on an old manual typewriter in childhood and never stopped.

My work explores deep divides within ourselves and our communities to promote understanding and respect. I use storytelling, poetry, music, and the spoken word to nurture radical attention and belonging.

Let’s help mend the world. 

Care to learn more about my work?

”Phyllis’ work gently guides us along the path of awareness, reminding us that we are all part of the universal spirit.

Sandhya S.

My Latest Books

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    Poetry of Presence II: More Mindfulness Poems

    $21.95
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    Staying Power 2: Writings from a Year of Emergence

    $13.95
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    Staying Power: Writings from a Pandemic Year

    $13.95
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    Beneath the Same Stars: A Novel of the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War

    $14.95
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    For the Sake of One We Love and Are Losing: A Meditative Poem & Journal

    $18.95
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    Poetry of Presence: An Anthology of Mindfulness Poems

    $21.95
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    The Emptiness of Our Hands: 47 Days on the Streets

    $14.95
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    Practicing Presence: Insights from the Streets

    $0.00

My Store

”To listen to Phyllis Cole-Dai is to open the self to wonder, curiosity, mindfulness and epiphany. As an editor, writer, musician and teacher, she has a wealth of practical and personal information to share.

Rosemerry Wahtola TrommerAuthor of HUSH and NAKED FOR TEA

My
Musings

March 28, 2023 in Mindfulness, Peacemaking

Here’s the Story I Can’t Tell You

As the dream opens, I’m in Grand Central Station in New York City. (In dream-speak, call it a grand place at the center of things. Maybe even the heart itself.) The station is bustling with…
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February 19, 2023 in Poetry

What Happens

This week I plopped down on the piano bench to muse with my fingers on the keyboard about what to write for today’s Staying Power. One song led to another, and eventually I came to “What Happens,”…
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February 12, 2023 in Public Commentary

Wherever You Are

This week, in trying to grapple with the enormity of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria, I turned to writing poetry. The staggering numbers of the dead, wounded, and homeless (many of whom were…
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February 7, 2023 in Public Commentary

Meet Me in Paradox

Tyre Nichols was, in his own words, an “aspiring photographer.” His favorite subject was landscapes. He also loved shooting videos while skateboarding. As one of his friends said, he used his camera “to capture the…
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January 24, 2023 in Work & Play

An Open Letter to Pat the Poet

Good morning, Pat!* Thank you for your email, seeking to hire me as an editor for your poems. By now, you’ve received my reply, where I explained that I don’t provide editorial services, only “creative companioning.”…
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January 15, 2023 in Mindfulness

To Glitter on the Gameboard

My habit in large waiting rooms is to walk. I’m always surprised by how far I can go while not going anywhere, just pacing or doing circuits, waiting my turn. I’m surprised, too, by how…
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Try a musing on for size.
Surprise me!

My
Musings

March 28, 2023 in Mindfulness, Peacemaking

Here’s the Story I Can’t Tell You

As the dream opens, I’m in Grand Central Station in New York City. (In dream-speak, call it a grand place at the center of things. Maybe even the heart itself.) The station is bustling with…
Read More
February 19, 2023 in Poetry

What Happens

This week I plopped down on the piano bench to muse with my fingers on the keyboard about what to write for today’s Staying Power. One song led to another, and eventually I came to “What Happens,”…
Read More
February 12, 2023 in Public Commentary

Wherever You Are

This week, in trying to grapple with the enormity of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria, I turned to writing poetry. The staggering numbers of the dead, wounded, and homeless (many of whom were…
Read More
Try a musing on for size.
Surprise me!

All Musings

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Hop aboard!