Welcome

Having a nautical background it always occurred to me that books that have a "fore-word" should have an "aftward" or after-word. At the end of the book you'll find thoughts that render some insight into some of the intent and inspiration for the verse that precedes it. But I encourage you not to read it yet and thereby spoil the enjoyment that is unique to exploring verse and art generally - the drawing of personal subjective perspective from the work. I think that too often readers attempt to decipher what the writer was thinking and miss out on the challenge of discovering those private Eureka moments when the reader finds within some deep commonality or understanding.

Verse should be read not once but many times. Familiarity brings new insights. Do we not all look at a sculpture  or  paintings  more  than once under different

light, during different moods and thereby draw new perspective? I submit that it is no different with verse and that it is foundational to its consumption that the insights come from within and not from others, else the work would be a lecture and not an exchange. Having made first impressions without the polluting influence of a third party, the reader can more confidently assume, reject or modify an author's interpretations.

Poetry uniquely takes written expression beyond the realm of the literal. It takes us to places beyond the words. If we are fortunate, we can glimpse that primordial level where we admit we are driven by instinct and fear, hunger and the need for warmth, self-perpetuation and community.

KRA

Foreword                                                                                                               iii

Foreword                                                                                                               iv