LIGHT & SHADOW is a heart-warming, rib-tickling, and inspirational collection of poetry. No one can read these pages of versified profundity without being the wiser for it. Mitchell's ability to see and describe life with breathtaking clarity is counterpoised by a spiritual dimension that causes the spine to tingle from the inner knowing that rises when in the embrace of purity and truth. If beautifully crafted words bring you sheer joy, you will find Thomas J. Mitchell is a entertaining ringmaster--a master wordsmith, bringer of joy extraordinaire. In his own words, "The magic occurs when poetry conveys what I think of as a 'spiritual jolt, ' expressing moments of greater truth which, to all intents and purposes, reside above the power of prose alone." Truths imparted in this way tend to remain clear and vibrant in the memory and can be recalled at any time. Thus, poetry can be a carrier wave for those magical moments of realization that resonate in the deepest parts of our psyche, restoring and refreshing the spirit. "My hope is that some of my poetry will create new insights for you when you least expect it; perhaps while driving or going about your daily chores. "And for all the lofty thoughts that I attempted to express in some of my cosmic and philosophical offerings, I do hope that my humorous poems bring you back to earth and make you laugh, or at least smile, when you recognize similar people and situations that inspired me to put pen to paper. "In short, in this collection I have attempted to provide both light and shadow, to bridge the gap between humor and esoterica, and if my poetry amuses and inspires it will have served its purpose."