Poems that Explore Heart and Soul
My Personal Memoir in Verse
Poetry has been a part of my life since my youth, not the erudite poetry of the crème de la crème of the poetic world—though I have read much of it—but poetry that flows from the heart of a rustic everyday guy struggling with the stuff of life. My highs and lows often came out in verse, doggerel, and rhyme—the poetry of the country rustic.
When writing my poems I was not as concerned about style and form as I was about exploring and unveiling the realities of my heart and soul. Poetry was a way of working out what was going on within. Most of my poems, though not all, were written during times of emotional ferment, the turmoil of wondering “why” as well as the wonder of discovering delight—times of shadow and times of sunshine. To read my poetry—Shadows and Sunshine—is to glance past the outward façade and get a glimpse into the depths of the inner man.
An Open Window
In the evening I often walk down the street past ten or twelve houses to get to the mailbox. Some of my neighbors have their lights on and their blinds open. I recall seeing one lady standing at her sink either doing dishes or preparing food. At another house two ladies sat playing cards. They had left open a window to their lives. Through my memoir in verse I open a window to my life and welcome peeping Toms, Marys, Bills, Mary Lous, Henrys, etc. In fact, you are welcome to take a look as well.
This memoir in verse is not only a window into my life. It is also a window into how God works all things for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). It is a tribute to God’s hand on a life, his goodness and sustaining love in the midst of struggle—indeed, His leading me out of times of turmoil into times of joy and wonder. What a God!
My wife said she thinks of my poems as modern day psalms.
Why a Memoir in Verse?
A memoir in verse not only reveals the heart of the man, but hopefully challenges the heart of the reader, encourages the soul of the reader, and enlightens the reader’s mind. That is the purpose for sharing one’s life. I have read numerous biographies, not just to learn about the man or woman whose life is being laid bare, but to learn life lessons. We learn from the lives of others, we are enriched so we can enrich.
I trust you have been enriched by reading this article, and I trust you will find an even deeper enrichment in reading Shadows and Sunshine (purchase at this link), A Memoir in Verse. You will find all of my books at Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. Check it out! My other thirty plus books are available there as well.
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