A Narrow Painted Road Seems So...

An Adventurous Collection of Provocative Poetry as a Colorful Social Art Form

Forty years in the making, this book is a collection of my more provocative—even daring—poems. Some are simple or playful verses fun to read to yourself or aloud.

The first two chapters will transform you into a "poetic detective," an informed reader of all poetry. You'll find them to be an insightful primer for reading all poetry, a brief and practical field guide to understanding the sexier anatomy of poetry. A liberal use of examples illustrates the concepts in a way you will find fun and interesting. If you already know all of this, a refresher couldn’t hurt, right?

Each poem is then accompanied by a few words of author's advice on how best to enjoy each poem, one of my original images--some are award-winners--the poem itself, and a thoughtful essay on my mental meanderings as the poem was composed.

You don’t like poetry? That’s like saying, “I don’t like books.” If true, that leads me to wonder why you want to read this book. However, if you’ve read poetry and “don’t get it,” this might be the very book for you.

You may agree or disagree with my messages, but you will be thinking. For that, I commend you on the adventurous journey you are about to begin.

Each poem asks you to think, maybe to be perplexed. I promise you, however, the essay that follows each verse will not leave you stranded. I will not leave you wondering what you just read should your own imagination or my imagery fail to connect. Poetry fascinates but sometimes perplexes without a few clues. Clad with the poet’s insights, however, you are freed to love or hate the piece as an informed and adventurous reader.

I make you a promise. You will not enjoy all the poems in this book. But I promise every one will cause you to pause, to wonder, and most of all, to feel. And some you might even find memorable.

Let’s do this. Together.