The Delight of Being . . .
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Me and Austin ... played on Hightower Street in Sardis, Mississippi after supper in the fading light of hot autumn nights when the maples lost their keys to twirl down by the thousands, impossible to dodge them all but we tried and tired ourselves until the call came “Game’s on!” Austin grabbed his record book we sat on the floor at Mr. Arnold’s feet. He taught us to keep score, Austin caught on quick, but I mostly just listened to the sometimes scratchy broadcasts of Chicks or Cardinals. Once a month or so, Austin’s dad would drive us up to Memphis to see a game. We slept on the long drive home.
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About the Book
The poems in the author's second volume continue the author’s love of simplicity and the beauties of nature. His world travels have enlarged his mental library of poetic styles and influences. Many of these poems resulted from an interest in ancient Chinese poets, such as Li Po and Du Fu, and reflect the submergence or abnegation of self. Hence, nature becomes the subject, not the poet’s emotional reaction to it. A second theme is close examination of what many would treat as casual observation and simply disregard. But these mind-grabbing eye-stoppers offer rich imagery and opportunities for thoughtful word play in the author’s world. While most of these poems are short, the author can also spin a tale with longer poems from his own experiences or from the imagination spurred from actual observation. Storytelling, observation, and nature—all in simple, earnest language.
About the Author
Stephen Orr Manning was born in Tennessee, grew up in Mississippi and Arkansas, joined the USAF in 1961, and traveled the world. He retired after service in Guam during the Vietnam War, in Europe and Saudi Arabia during the Cold War. Those experiences provide a rich background for his poetry. He has a BS cum laude from Syracuse University, a master’s in international relations from University of Oklahoma and additional coursework in military history and public administration. He now resides in the woodlands of the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas.