By now I hope you have had the chance to read (and dare I say enjoy) my first book of poems – “It’s a Funny Thing, Life”. Maybe you are even looking forward to reading my next poetic delve into life. Therefore, I am proud to announce that my second poetry book, “Moon Dreams” has just been released. With this new release, here is my customary blog on the history of how I ended up writing the new set of poems that fills each page.
I have always loved writing poetry. For me the rhyming of words fires into life many deeper emotions from somewhere within a place not normally touched. Some say it’s spiritual, others might regard it as an awakening, and others would comment on how poetry calms and uplifts. For sure it is a truly aesthetic experience.
The poems you will be reading in this book started a number of years back when I joined a website where I could show my poetic efforts to readers and fellow poets. I did so for three reasons. First was to get a better idea of how my poems would be received. Second was to enjoy reading other poets’ work. And lastly it was to measure their standard against mine in order to improve my skills. Each poem would get a rating out of 5 stars and comments could be left. It was a very good way to see where my poetry stood and to gain an understanding on how to improve.
At first, I received 3-4 stars and nice comments, a little later I was elated to receive my first 5-star review with a most pleasing comment. Extremely encouraged, I continued and, I’m proud to say, reached a standard where I nearly always received 5 stars with lovely comments.
Later as I progressed, I had the idea of mixing my second love – writing stories, with my poetry. So, I took the plunge and decided to write a short, dramatic adventure story in my rhyming style. To my delight it was very well received. In fact, even better than my usual poems. I found the whole exercise of writing adventure within a poem quite exhilarating.
These adventure poems take longer to compose than my others. There is always a beginning, middle and an end to the tale that may take several shorter poems to complete. And of course, the game is to make all of it rhyme as beautifully as I can manage. The joy mostly comes from being able to enter and live that adventure along with the laughing, crying, loving and fighting the characters go through.
A new style gradually emerged and formed into what came to be known as poems of dramatic adventure. Of course, I love writing about love, life and the wonders of nature. However, I found myself really getting into the drama of epic struggles against the trials and tribulations of life.
They really are in the world of whimsical dreams we occasionally have when watching the moon or a movie – and so formed the title.
With my first book of poetry “It’s A Funny Thing, Life” doing well, I’m happy to have worked again with, Rebecca Danese my favourite illustrator. Together we have put together a book of ‘Moon Dreams’. I wish you happy reading.
