I began writing song lyrics, short stories, and poetry some 48-years-ago. While I was in high school, during the 60s, I had the privilege of meeting Poet Laureate of the United States of America, Mr. Robert Frost. He spoke with me discussing my writings, my poetry. He told me to keep writing and reading, and as I continued I would learn so much more, and eventually become a published poet. I have continued writing lyrics, short stories, and poetry. I am now 63-years-old, and I have been published. I have always told other poets and writers to keep on writing, and learning about the many different styles of the written arts. I have also spent 35-years as an entertainer, singer, song writer, and also a musician. I have worked with Tom T. Hall, Billy Jo Spears, Red Sovine, Bobby Bare, and Kitty Wells. I have also played with Rhythm Blues Entertainers too, The Four Tops, The Platters, The Sherelles, and Visions ( Mark Farner, of Grand Funk Railroad, and the survivors of the Lynard Skynard Band). We were an International Country Rhythm Blues Band, and played together for several years. The way I see writing poetry is a likeness to a photograph of a moment, a dream, a place, a thing, a memory. Life comes at us in many ways, sometimes in many different ways at once. It's the situations that arise, the masks some people wear, the way they talk and rub shoulders with everybody. These things make up the poetry I write. When you sit down and look at life you'll find it's much bigger than just us. This is poetry, lyric writing, short stories, journalism, actually all the arts. I have found all things good in writing, even when I'm turned down by an editor. It's all learning, and enjoying what I do. I choose a photograph, a moment, a dream, or a situation and I write about it. I create a picture with words. I live a simple life as a disabled veteran of the U.S.M.C., and of the Vietnam War. However, I am simply me, and I don't try and say I'm someone else. Who am I? Well I'm a human being who loves the arts. My message to you all who reads this is KEEP ON WRITING, KEEP ON KEEPING ON.
