Since Mohamed Ali?then Cassius Clay?announced that he had written "The world's shortest poem," I have known that I would be a poet. "ME? WHEE!" His triumphant proclamation evoking shivers within my troubled teenaged identity, for I reasoned in rhyme.
Everyday, hundreds-of-thousands of seemingly sane souls satisfy some innate need to bare their concealed character via atrocious alliteration or in delusional doggerel. As in Kris Kristofferson's early works, the marvelous magic masquerades within sweet musical lyrics, providing us with eternal material transcending generational barriers.
Even if none but we are ever allowed to examine our hidden essence, an inner longing is unleashed?only to be squished?should we presume to be published.
In1978, I self-published my first poetry book, Beacon?, to an enthusiastic reception of some uninformed who didn't realize, fearing rejection, I had never submitted my musings to somber publishers. After all, Rod McKuen, suffering countless rejections, had self-published. And he was said?at that time?to be, "The world's most widely read poet."
To the accolade of local yokel fans, the following year, I followed up with Imperfections?, Verse by Russ Miles, songs and thoughts reflecting who, where, and what I was?at that time in my life. Even more well received, I was enjoying the affirmative attention of a metropolitan newspaper poetry editor insisting that I co-chair a college invitational symposium for wantabe poets with the State Poet LaTourette. My books selling well, a youthful, insatiable ego was being satisfactorily stroked.
Then, a strange thing happened. I caught a case of conscience. What if an unforgiving God held me accountable for my wanton actions or the impact of foisting my unholy understandings upon innocents?
Frightening purgatorial?or worse?reprisal prospects triggered instantaneous actions. Removing all remaining copies from the marketplaces which I had developed for distribution, I stopped penning poetry for the next twenty-five years.
Disabled at age fifty-three by Multiple Sclerosis, I found myself writing another book, For Sale By Owners:FSBO?. A mystery thriller novel evolved offering some insights that only a self-absorbed, worldly man of three messed-upped marriages could possibly convey.
I continue learning that God is so forgiving. How He can inspire good to come of all things. Even some of my old songs are once more awaiting discovery thanks to the song-writing, truck-driving character appearing between the FSBO covers.
By today's standards, Red Haring's vivid verse words and wayward rhyme renderings are no longer abysmal. Rather they reflect the subtle "It's all about me" immoral fiber of a masculine male?wrestling with post 9-11 internal issues?choosing to make changes in his so self-consumed life. Red's songs emerge to stimulate reflections within Brooklyn Best, the no-saint heroine, real estate agent with whom he becomes romantically involved?while being knitted together to unravel some horrific homicides?in this reality based novel. Through its use in a sub-plot, my poetry is being reborn.
As for Beacon? and Imperfections?, perhaps I'll offer my few remaining hand signed & numbered "First Edition" & "Limited Edition" poetry books on e-Bay?. After all, John Grisham's originally published novels are now collector's items aren't they?
Free-Reprint Article Written by: Russ Miles See Terms of Reprint Below.
Article Copyright: 2005
Author Contact Email: mailto:MilesRuss@Gmail.com
----------------------------------------------------------------- p>
TERMS OF REPRINT - Publication Rules
This is a Free-Reprint article. The only requirements for publishing this article are:
* You must leave the article and resource box unedited. You are not allowed to change the content of the article. Reformatting is permitted as necessary.
* You may not use this article in UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email). Email distribution of this article MUST be opt-in email only.
* We ask that you forward a copy of the ezine or newsletter that contains the article inside to the author at: MilesRuss@Gmail.com
* If you post this article on a website, you MUST set any URL's or Mailto addresses in the body of the article and most especially in the Author's Resource Box as hyperlinks. We request that you also send us a copy of the URL where you have posted this article.
If you utilize this article in a printed magazine, or on paper publication, please snail mail a copy in full to Russ Miles 410 W 13th Street #807 Vancouver, WA 98660.
If you find any of the rules to be unsavory or unacceptable, please do not publish this article. While we are happy to make the content available to you for your own use, we must insist on having our rules and *Terms of Reprint* honored in full.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Russ Miles is the author of the novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO. Seasoned Real Estate NAR? Broker Disabled by Multiple Sclerosis, FOR SALE BY OWNERS:FSBO ISBN 0-595-28703-4,in trade paperback, is available by phone or Internet:1-800-Authors to order direct! Very HOT?LINK Adobe e-book & hard cover editions also available FSBO at Amazon.com at Barnes and Noble and other fine booksellers.
Comments: milesruss@gmail.com.
Personal referrals to his publisher
Lincoln Stretch rentals Alsip ..Charlotte Bronte (1816 ?1855) Novelist and Poet.Charlotte was the daughter... Read More
Delicately, my mind was selecting a muffled tune, out of... Read More
Shakespeare's sonnets require time and effort to appreciate. Understanding the... Read More
Storm Rising along the Lima Coast [Summer of 2002]?wind was... Read More
Ironically, the passion that can neutralize the repulsion for difficulties... Read More
The Incubus' Flash-lightHe looked inside my head And found a... Read More
Happy, Sad, Mad and Glad, Moved in down the streetCautious... Read More
Writing poetry is an art, a way of expression, finding... Read More
We were exiled from the Garden of Eden. Its... Read More
There I sat, ninety-five degree weatherOutside; the bookstore caf?, was... Read More
YOU MIGHT THINK I AM STRONGI THINK YOU GOT IT... Read More
Once upon a midnight dreary, coffee cold and vision... Read More
Learn about love by reading poetry by a long dead... Read More
If a happiness poem could bring forth a smile, Then... Read More
The following two poems, one in English, the other in... Read More
Fair Andes! Thy arms reach highOf iron-woven solid stone Thu... Read More
"Beautiful Dreamer" was written by Stephen Foster just before his... Read More
There once lived an old man and his goodwife On... Read More
The Poet's Corner [Three poem/ see review of poetry under... Read More
Note: written after seeing the little adobe 16th century church... Read More
Most of my poems are written late at night, often,... Read More
Frog SummerSummer grows hot, for the New-blooded frogs; The bugs... Read More
How wonderfully sweet to be a dweller dwelling... Read More
In the quiet of the arctic night- In its deep... Read More
Like a cat I slumber, blissfully unencumbered, Through eighty per... Read More
Western Springs shuttle limo ..YOU MIGHT THINK I AM STRONGI THINK YOU GOT IT... Read More
The light of all eternity shines with me now /... Read More
Ode to Quetzalc?atlQuetzalc?atl the GreatNo one knew his true name,... Read More
Ole Bulky JeepsThrough late summer's heat These bulky shaped jeeps... Read More
Happy, Sad, Mad and Glad, Moved in down the streetCautious... Read More
The Incubus' Flash-lightHe looked inside my head And found a... Read More
Five Poems from Home1) Remembering: Dorothy Parker [Dedicated to the... Read More
She probably can't remember and I know I can never... Read More
I Shall Wait..On all the new mornings, and every singking... Read More
Isn't that what they say?But what does that mean?There's no... Read More
Tale of the Brick Maker, Of San Jer?nimo, Peru... Read More
Phantom of the Rocks[Huancayo, Peru]Night falls deepUpon the traveler!Low, over... Read More
Take some time to stop and look at nature. Pick... Read More
My life has changedin so so many waysIt seems to... Read More
I never thought I would have to say GOODBYE to... Read More
LIFE IS A FANTASY!A pink-eyed rabbit, fuzzy whiteHops in bedrooms... Read More
"All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling."--Oscar WildePeople write poetry... Read More
If you are serious about seeing your work published by... Read More
Here are three more poems by the author, Dennis Siluk,... Read More
English Version12) Black Poncho(of Saint Cosme Hill, by Lima, Peru)Lost... Read More
Is poetry too complicated for the average reader? Is it... Read More
You cannot make someone love you. All you can do... Read More
Two Poems and an Analysis ['Witness,' & 'An Old Love']WitnessMy... Read More
On through the darkness she searches the bones Seeking the... Read More
Wars, air of AmbiguityDedicated to 1st. Lt. Laura Walker (From... Read More
Poetry |