About the Author : Healing Arts

about the author

Signals From The Left Behind is a return to passion. The collection of Post-Holocaust, Cold War, cyber era philosophy, and ethical wisdom, gathered along a four-decade journey. A discussion of universal meaning and basic consciousness. Poems rejoicing in natural harmonious existence; Honoring ancient wisdom and striving for perpetual progress and advancement. A gift from one of the original builders of the Internet. In his first volume of poetry he brings the lifelong inspiration found in such great works like Jane English and Gia-Fu Feng volume of Lao Tzu’s Tao Te Ching.

Whilst the photography and words are written by Steven Michalove, this work was created and assembled in all its artistic styling by Jesse Hughey. This book and the beauty it invokes is a true team effort between an amazing young artist Jesse Hughey and the author. It is this kind of talent in the music and art scene that give Seattle a reputation for its breakthrough works. In this collaboration between two generations the tech culture and art scene in Seattle come together in a seriously unique way. This book is the first chapter of this multimedia project coming out of the Indie scene in Seattle.

Steven Michalove’s first collection of poetry is a long overdue window into the mind of an author with numerous and diverse interests and abilities. After decades of building the Internet and work in cybersecurity like applied cryptography and network design and enterprise scale deployment at Fortune 100 (Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, Amazon) companies. His poetry collection, Signals From The Left Behind marks a return passion. A lifelong writer, Steven Michalove’s first collection of poetry, reads as a dispatch from a mind fractured by the brilliance and desperate passion. Steven Michalove is an American amateur scientist, inventor, engineer, poet, and author, outdoorsman, ski instructor and amateur photographer.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Michalove first took interest in mathematics and science at the age of 3 with a simple experiment using water and fire. At 16 years old, Michalove graduated high school High School in Atlanta. In 1985, he graduated from the University of Georgia with a management information systems degree (MIS), a bachelor’s degree in business administration (BBA), and a classwork with master’s in business administration (MBA). He began his professional career at Hewlett-Packard Denmark and Atlanta, where he worked for over 20 years as a network security architect, telecommunications consultant, account manager, web security services manager, contract negotiator, commercial services consultant, and marketing project director. He also attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute(WPI) outside Boston with a concentration in EE, followed by computer science at Georgia State University. He lives his life according to the motto that he does not live to work, but rather works to live. Another key value he subscribes to is his belief in the importance of learning new things.

“I have a thirst for learning (not always in the academic sense). I have spent a lot of time trying to understand how my brain works and how I learn and know my learning weaknesses. I am as interested in Spinoza as I am in physics, but don’t ask me to solve differential equations; I can’t get my brain to go there.”

In addition to his craving for new knowledge, Michalove’s friends and family enjoy his lighter side as he believes it’s important to have a good sense of humor in life, asking the question, “If you can’t joke and have fun… what’s the point? Life is not a funeral.”

from the author

As the years flow by, it is natural to accrue laments. One lament I have banked is the pause in my writing. After pursuing more pedestrian but important pursuits, I lost sight of my need for creative outputs. But family and career filled many of those spaces in the left behind. Is time to refill the empty bucket and not lament that this book became another lament in the left behind.

My science and engineering are only one fraction of who I am but I’m as passionate about that as my art. Much of what you will read here is like a time capsule of my artistic and scientific viewpoint of the world. The earliest published work in this volume dates from 1979 — I was 17. The majority of these early works date from the period 1977 – 1984.

My life and survival from 3 medically induced near deaths have helped consolidate my view of life. I am certain the stress of my tribe has contributed to this. The latest research into epigenetic memory does seem to indicate a causative effect — done largely with Holocaust survivors. The tragedy of and multiple calamities of our tribe are a repeated story of survival against the odds. Not unlike my own survival from my medical circumstances. I think this combined with my near fatal stroke a few years ago has unlocked this mystery for me.

I and plagued with useless correlations and causation models. I once I learn how something works it will forever be there for me to recall. Just like my shared need for survival. It is not a that tribes that survives calamity. It is individuals. We now know that information from the left behind is in the very protocol of my biology.

Eventually, we will discover the chemical tattooing mechanism of this signaling profile embedded in the pattern of our cells. We only see a correlation today; the cause is yet to be discovered but will be. Such is the way of man. And once you remember a thousands of years of causation discoveries, such iterations are like the easy path allowing us to take field trips to the future with experiments. We add layer upon layer from the left behind.

First person perception of time is the ultimate Turing test. It is what differentiates humans from adjacent biological species and cyber branches; instances of consciousness on the path of evolution. Cyber AI suffers the same fate as my dog; it understands not itself relative to the left behind and causative time.

I am out of laments that I did not share this work with you. I hope you will find the time to think about and challenge my ideas; Then I have fulfilled and lament no more. If you look it or read it and say it is beautiful then I know great joy at causing you to question the fabric of time and your understanding of it.

May all your causes and life bring joy to you and your offspring.

Luv tja, Steven

from the inside flap

reviews of Signals from the Left Behind

Signals From the Left Behind is a collection of poems that combine both philosophy and science to discuss consciousness and a universal connection that is within all of us. With his scientific background and passion for art and philosophy, author Steven Michalove is able to blend both world in a multitude of collections. Working within the realm of science, Steven Michalove has always had what he would describe as a passion for learning. This passion has lead him down multiple avenues, from physics to Spinoza, that made him realize that truth lies in a plethora of different paths.

The poem, Evolution has Won the Bet, combines powerful imagery to give a new take on the role nature plays in the natural process. Readers and nature lovers will appreciate the accompanying photographs that are scattered throughout the book, highlighting the writing and majestic strength of each poem.

Several poems highlight the connection between science and philosophy. The poem The Originals, shows how advancing society is ultimately expressing truth with the world. A recurring theme throughout the collection is the concept of transhumanism. However, Michalove, approaches the concept in a novel way, showing that humans can transform in a plethora of ways, not just through robotic technology.

Ultimately, Signals From the Left Behind is the embodiment of the artistic truth Michalove wants to share with his readers. Utilizing the experiences he has gained throughout his life, readers access vast catalogue of poems that strives to speak a version of truth to them.

Written for Healing Arts Productions™ by Vaughn Tunstall

Beaming clarity, beauty and wisdom in a signal which feels generated from a much older age, Steven Michalove’s pen covers vast emotional and psychic terrain. His Signals from the Left Behind is a satisfying volume of poetry which takes chances with imagery, meter and sound and which also addresses the reader’s heart with great tenderness and respect. Michalove is a founder of the Internet, so I did not expect all my prejudices about the technologic mind to be bested, but they were. It is kind of amazing to think a single mind can focus on both poetry and technology and even spirituality and custom and medical problems and cultural tragedy, and yet here we have it, and it’s fascinating to realize this poetry reflects 40 years of output from the poet.
Michalove’s poetry is an offering to loving life and the diversity of his mind and interests creates a varied poetic landscape which is deeply heartfelt. Pour your energies out/Sweet cosmic rain./Waters flow, intellect scouts/As reason seeks for nature’s reign.

Love, relationships, nature, family, music, owls, values, customs, the tragedy of the Holocaust, Michalove’s mind soars bird-like into many realms of life. Over and over again, the constant in his work is the depth. I read a lot of this poetry by fire in the winter, and I was amazed at how quiet the world became. It’s like this with great, old classical rhythms; when it’s good it’s like the best hot chocolate or warm tea and the coziest fire on the snowiest day and the sound of the kindest, most enveloping silence all around.

This poetry has a way of inserting philosophy with humor, and Michalove is not above using rhyme to solidify his themes. I sense in his poetry a pulsing aliveness which is ever-onward urging expansion into new physic and spiritual and moral realms. He seems to be urging moral growth for all of us, as in “ a Star”: To work on one goal/To be whole /Within the self./Holding to truths self-evident/ In nature./ Enough of this sordid nomenclature/…..Man must now strive for a new /and better mind. /And nature. /This is what man should find / In the long passage of time.

Love underscores this poetry, as in “ a Love, Let there be no Fear.” Across barren landscapes, rivers bed for the night. As men hurry in flight; the sun awaits the morn; And clouds await the storm. The lovers hold on tight/To feelings not so forlorn./ Meditation comes in any form./ And the clouds await the storm.

Michalove’s voice also reminds me at times of the voice of the elder, as in “”:

Blessed is the man/That walks on the water/ For he is free and easy. Blessed is the man/That walks upon the Earth, For he is in the bondage of desires. / Blessed is the man/ Who walks in the shadows of the setting sun/ For the grave is his only lightness. / Blessed is the man / Who is the new born child who walks without steps,/ For he is forever the future. / Blessed is the man/That walks in the light of day/ For he may see the light of awakening.

You can receive the feel of Michalove’s intent through these excerpts. You can count on this poet for deeply felt, deeply caring work and mature themes and questions about our essence and our humanity. He’s also included his art in this volume, and a kind dedication page to his father.

Michalove’s language can also be beautiful, as in “ thought”, and “ away men’s shadows” and “ tide of love”. At times, the poet employs colloquial language as well.

Michalove has recorded many of these poems, and it’s always a treat to hear the poet read his own work. I sense here a clear and heartfelt intent from a poet who truly cares about humanity.

Written for Healing Arts Productions™ by Lesley Holdcroft

HEALING ARTS PRODUCTIONS