Left Handed Through Time

About the Book

The author is not left-handed.  He has however, been the outsider, the late comer, the wrong color (the wrong color can be white at times), under dressed, over dressed, misplaced, out of step, out of sorts, out of cash, out of style, too young, too old, too short, too anxious, too stubborn, and wishy-washy.  You will note that none of these things are fatal and many of them noticed by few.  But they all, can and do, make one wonder about the comfort of having a good fit.  My understanding is that this is a way of life for the left handed folks who live in this right handed world.  They get by, and do it by using a slightly different grip.  People seldom notice, but it is a different grip.  I feel that I have a left-handed grip on, or view of, the world.  The problems are evident but I must tell you, that in compensation, I have views of life that most folks don´t, and these views give me wonder.   This wonder I will share with you.

Left Handed Through Time is an easy to read compilation of poetry of all descriptions.  Rhymed and metered or free verse, serious or humorous, predictable or surprising, modest or suggestive.   The common thread is that first and foremost you will understand exactly what the poet is saying and you will know exactly what he means there is nothing hidden or obscure.   If you want a mystery book, or to test your intelligence by being able to parse meaning from convoluted phrasing and obscure allusion, go elsewhere.  If you want to enjoy an idea, a view, a romantic moment, humor, or an adventure, just read on.

Left Handed is divided into chapters that, to the author, seemed most conducive to the readers enjoyment and understanding.   They provide a thread of continuity for the included poems.  The early chapters are devoted to the last ten years of the authors life.  What Was Then is concerned with his married life and its ending.  Through The Singles in many ways describes the trials and tribulations of mature adults who find themselves alone for whatever reason, and dont particularly like it.  Whats Now happily tells about the problems and joys in finding of the significant other (what a horrible term) that one vitally needs to have the fullest life possible.

The remaining chapters are titled by their themes or content.  Love and Romance no question. Look and See are nature poems. Entertain has poems whose sole purpose is to do just that. Have a Thought is a chapter of poems that will give you a different view or maybe just give you pause.  Introspection contains poems that are personal to the author and his experience.  And finely, Stories has poems of adventure and drama.

About the Author

John Baldwin was born in Philadelphia and raised in the Pennsylvania - New Jersey area. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean conflict and visited ports around the world. He also had several tours of duty in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. He married late and widowed early with a son who resides in Oklahoma. His occupations have been widely and wildly diversified from janitor to research scientist with many stops between. His educational history is as unconventional as his work history. He is a high school drop out with a master’s degree. This variance from the norm in life experience has made him jaded where others might be sympathetic and sensitive to things that others ignore. He has a left-handed grip on life.