About the Author I have been writing poetry for better than half a century, and as with many experiences in my life, it began by accident, or to be truthful was it a guided experience, since I truly believe, almost nothing happens by accident. I have come to this conclusion because of my life's experience. An example is the poem Kindred's Story, which followed the discovery of these 2 following factual stories in my history. The back story of this poem is that in about 1840 in Nauvoo Illinois 2 neighbors who were very good friends and associated in many ways and activities in life. Their names were David Eccles and Alonzo Farnsworth. When they left Nauvoo together, David Eccles went to Utah and Alonzo Farnsworth went to Chihuahua, Mexico. In 1975 when the great grandson of David Eccles and the great Granddaughter of Alonzo Farnsworth met and were married on August, 25th. They were together 27 years until she died of an extended illness. In 1773, an Indian, Chief Logan, of the Mingo tribe in West Virginia, gave a famous speech stating how he enjoyed the white people. He said in his speech, "You never heard of a white man who came to my door that I would not help.... In fact, I would live among the white people were it not for that Monster of Maryland, Colonel Thomas Cresap." 231 years later, Sarah, the direct progeny of Chief Logan, according to Sarah's grandmother, meets David, the direct progeny of Colonel Thomas Cresap. We were married on April 1 and have been happily married for 10 years. The discovery of this link in linage was an amazing discovery creating the question; could these happenings have been accidental, or could these have been guided? There are poems that came following thoughts or discussions of religious concepts and ideas, personal experiences and challenges or trials that have affected my attitude. They have shown me wonders that have enhanced my life and understanding. If we learn to listen, there are energies (spirit guides, ministering angels, The Holy Ghost) or whatever you wish to call them, here on our Earth to help us with the Challenges or Trials we are here to experience and from which and whom, we are to learn. To this end I have come to understand that our Creator or God knows how to teach me, and is doing so through my life's experiences and the poetry I have been given. My life's work has afforded me a great deal of time to think as I have spent much of it on my own or alone, and as I wondered about life, its meaning, why things are, thoughts will come to me. Often what might follow is a poem which will clarify and sometimes expand the thought. They come in complete form, in about 5 to 15 minutes, then it takes about an hour to decide a title, place them in the organized order, and transcribe them to the computer. My anthology has become a journal, since they so often follow circumstances in my life and as such, often clarify, and in many cases, ease the stress, pain or anxiety of a situation. They have helped me solidify my purpose, goals, understanding and meaning of our lives here on Earth. The poems come in a universal nature, in that, even though they came to me for a specific reason, they are understood by most people where in individuals are able to identify the value, and apply the teaching in the poem to their specific situations The purpose of this anthology is to allow others to enjoy these poems and to participate in the teachings I have received which have truly broadened my horizon. Perhaps you might come to the same conclusion as I, in that you will discover, "The more you learn, the more you will realize you don't know", but you will not have to go through the learning process alone without help from another source.
