Some Experiences with Poetry

About the Book

Arizona, 1994 Going from zilch in the line of composing poetry all the way up to feeling competent enough to write a paper about the process (and perhaps eventually publish a book) is another of those life-learning journeys we all take. Sometimes it’s a matter of talent. Some people are just born with the uncanny ability to write some¬thing down in suitable form and have it connect with other people’s brain cells. Then there are those of us who must learn step by step, over many years, through changing attitudes and varied ex¬periences. Oskaloosa, IA 2004 This book (see what can happen in ten years?) is not intended as a how-to textbook. If anyone who feels incompetent in the field of poetry just happens to learn from it, let me know. I’ll be gratified. My purposes in starting to organize things in my “poetry box” down in Arizona ten years ago include: 1) therapy, while Hal was sinking into dementia; 2) amusement, because if you don’t laugh, you cry; 3) the hope that I can connect with other people in a field which has come to mean a great deal to me; 4) to share with others that part of my life spent experimenting with writing and teaching poetry; 5) to share some poetry which has not only impressed and inspired but also influenced both my writing and my thinking. Have a good time on the journey upon which you have embarked, now that you have this book in your hands.

About the Author