Life Inside a Brown Paper Bag is a collection of poetry written to encourage readers to challenge their own thinking about everyday life. What was the inspiration for this collection?

I don’t consider myself a poet or a writer. However, over time, and with a good deal of experiences under one’s belt, you should be able to arrange the 170,000 + words of the English language into some form of readable compendium that sets itself apart from other works. The collection of poems and/or sentiments that comprise Life Inside a Brown Paper Bag are largely autobiographical, that is, they occurred in some shape or form during my 73 years on Earth. They are neither unique nor extraordinary in and of themselves, but take on their own peculiar perspective under the backdrop of the medium in which they are presented.

Do you have a selection within this book that particularly resonates with you?

I think the poem The Park demonstrates what I am trying to disburse. In any given day and at any given moment there is both peace and chaos in the world. Depending on your current placement in life, whatever you are experiencing is likewise being experienced by thousands of others, while millions of others are experiencing vastly different matters. There is no universal equality in life or events. Take your peace and your turmoil with balanced sensitivity.

How did you decide on the unique title for your collection?

The title of the book is taken from a poem within, which tries to remind one that the simplicity of life is usually far more satisfying than the convoluted and arduous path that most people take. We seem to have turned life into more of a struggle by amassing an assortment of unnecessary examinations on our thoughts and deeds. Joy becomes only a biproduct instead of a first fruit.

What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?

I enjoyed writing this book. I have read and reread it hundreds of times, with innumerable changes over approximately 9 years. It sat for months like a dormant volcano, and erupted at others times like a rabid dog. Whether another volume is on the horizon is hard to say. I constantly look around me and think…that’s interesting, I could write about that…but if I don’t put it down on paper right away it fades like a cloud in the sky. I really just wanted to put together something that makes people look within themselves. That’s where you’ll find the real you.