Life in the Big Insanity

I began writing song lyrics, short stories, andpoetry some 48-years-ago. While I was in highschool, during the 60s, I had the privilege ofmeeting Poet Laureate of the United States ofAmerica, Mr. Robert Frost. He spoke with mediscussing my writings, my poetry. He told meto keep writing and reading, and as I continuedI would learn so much more, and eventuallybecome a published poet.I have continued writing lyrics, shortstories, and poetry. I am now 63-years-old,and I have been published. I have always toldother poets and writers to keep on writing, and learning about the many differentstyles of the written arts.I have also spent 35-years as an entertainer, singer, song writer, and also amusician. I have worked with Tom T. Hall, Billy Jo Spears, Red Sovine, BobbyBare, and Kitty Wells. I have also played with Rhythm Blues Entertainers too, TheFour Tops, The Platters, The Shrills, and Visions ( Mark Farner, of Grand FunkRailroad, and the survivors of the Lynard Skynard Band). We were an InternationalCountry Rhythm Blues Band, and played together for several years.The way I see writing poetry is a likeness to a photograph of a moment, adream, a place, a thing, a memory. Life comes at us in many ways, sometimesin many different ways at once. Its the situations that arise, the masks somepeople wear, the way they talk and rub shoulders with everybody. These thingsmake up the poetry I write. When you sit down and look at life youll find itsmuch 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 Im turned down by aneditor. Its 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 livea simple life as a disabled veteran of the U.S.M.C., and of the Vietnam War. However, I am simply me, and I dont try and say Im someone else. Who am I?Well Im a human being who loves the arts. My message to you all who reads thisis KEEP ON WRITING, KEEP ON KEEPING ON.