Spirit contains short poems, a few are written in a unique narrative form that explore family relationships and provide commentary on religion, political situations and current events. What inspires you to write poetry?

My inspiration occurred 20 years ago. I hurried onto the trail to Philbin Beach. I was late for sunset. The people all left when the sun went below the horizon. I always loved the time after, when the sun’s rays shown on the underside of the clouds. The water slowly turns from blue to grey to black.

I thought I was the only one on the beach. Then I saw a woman, maybe 30 years old, in a long dress standing right up to the water. She said nothing, looked around her , then back to the ocean. She walked into the water up to her chest, looked back again and went under completely and stayed under.

I realized what was happening and ran into the water, found her, pulled her up and out of the water and onto the beach.

She opened her eyes and said, “No one cares! No one!”

“I care”, I said. “I am your golden retriever. I will never stop you from going back into and under the water, but every time you do I will come in after you, pull you out and revive you.” She stood up glaring at me. “We can do this all night” I said.

She turned, walked then ran into the water up to her chest, stopped and then went under. I started after her, stopped and counted to 50. Then I went in, found her, pulled her out and onto the beach. After a moment she looked up at me.

“Are you ready to go home?” I asked. “Yes”, she said, “Yes, I am!”

Ten years later I was on the trail to Philbin Beach with my eight year old granddaughter, Ashlyn. A woman was leaving. We passed each other on the trail, went a short distance then at the same time paused, turned around and looked at each other. She walked back up and said to Ashlyn, “You know this guy?” “He’s my Papa”, said Ashlyn.

“A long, long time ago your Papa saved me. I was very sad, all alone, no one cared. I came to the beach and went under the water. Your Papa came in after me, pulled me out.

“No one cares I said, no one.”

“I care your Papa said. I’m your golden retriever I will never keep you from going in the water but every time you do I will come in and pull you out.”

“I was still so sad. I went back into the water, looked back at him and went under, But he didn’t come. Now I was not just sad, I was scared. Did he lie? Did he just leave? Oh

my God, oh no. Then his arms were around me. He pulled me out, carried me onto the beach.”

The woman knelt down to Ashlyn. “When Papa waited something happened to me. I wanted to be saved.”
She stood up, smiled, turned and walked away.

Ashlyn reached over, took my hand and touched it to her cheek. We turned around and walked to the beach.

My favorite poem from this collection is ‘Facing The Storm’, because it’s short but potent. Do you have a favorite poem from this book?

I have a number of favorite poems. The one that has meaning for me personally is a Loving Lament. I have always felt nature, before me, around me and within me. Writing lets me share that feeling and invite others to ride along with me. I would like to believe that I’m starting down that road by the publication of this book.

What were some themes that were important for you to explore in your poetry?

Those themes are: (1) diving deep into present beauty and brutality; (2) the joy of children, seeing through their eyes and feeling with their hearts; (3) sailing solo but never alone; (4) how otherwise good and kind people become cruel and violent.

When and where will Spirit be available?

Spirit will be released in June 2022 in both hardcover and paperback formats. Hardcover editions can be bought wherever books are sold. Paperback editions will be available through Amazon only.