I have had a rural upbringing, and many of my poems reflect this lifestyle. I didn't realize my writing potential until I turned forty, but I had a dream as a youngster that I was standing before a huge crowd reciting my own poetry, and it flowed effortlessly from my mouth. Now many of my poems come "spur of the moment" through some sort of inspiration, and sometimes I write 2 or 3 poems in one day. At other times I labor for years to try and get a poem just right. My most prolific year was 1992 - during which I averaged more than 2 poems per week.
I recently graduated from the Institute of children's literature, and expect to contribute a number of poems for and about children in the future (one of my favorite subjects to write about). I write on all types of subjects from serious social issues to humorous and non-sense verses, and from nostalgic, love, and nature,to inspirational. I try to vary my meter, form, and style, as well as to go from fiction to non-fiction, traditional to free-verse. One of my favorite styles is the Sonnet. Some of my favorite poets are Shakespeare, Oliver Wendall Holmes, Emily Dickinson, Edgar Allan Poe, Edgar Guest, and my fellow native-born Hoosier: James Whitcomb Riley. Although I favor the traditional style in my own writing, my all time favorite poem (excluding some of the Psalms) is "Lincoln, Man of the People" - a "free verse" by Edwin Markham.
My poetic philosophy is that poems should in some way inspire,move the emotions, or be touching, uplifting,encouraging, thought-provoking, educational, beautiful, or just plain fun.
I have received numerous awards and honorable mentions in national poetry contests. A number of my lyrics have been written to music by artists and recorded and/or performed before live audiences. I have appeared and read poetry on Public television and at banquets, and I long ago lost track of all the books, magazines, and newspapers that have published my writings. I have a book being published by Xlibris, with 52 poems, lyrics, and essays on my past experiences growing up in an Amish family. the book is titled "Recollections of An Amish Childhood" and is available in both soft cover and hard cover. It is now available through Barnes & Noble.
Other interests of mine are cooking, playing guitar, listening to classical, Celtic, and folk/bluegrass music, dining out with friends and family, and Biblical research. I am a deeply religious individual, father, and grandfather. I have ideas for several historical novels, and some day hope to start a syndicated small town newspaper column under the heading: "Talk of the Town."
Thanks, Bob, for giving us this wonderful site, and thank you (random order) Gregory, Lyle, Walter, Robert, Barry, Denny, Candy, Janet, Janice, Dawn, Regina, Irina, Denise, Nancy, Pepper, Kay Lee, Joan, Jenny, Paul, Caitlin, and my two adoptees: Victoria and Heather, (and all the rest of you, adults and Jr's.) for all your wonderful comments about my poems, (and yes - even your corrections!)and for sharing all of your thoughts and beautiful compositions with the rest of us.
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