Writing under the pen name "J. J. Blackwood" I seek to explore the expressions of soul and spirit with contemplative poetry. Objectively, I wish to spark a contemplative response from my audience to delve deeper within their psyche and grasp the true meaning of each unique life. Inspired by the "Songs of Solomon" in the Holy Bible, and, influenced by Kahlil Gibran and John Keats, I write about life's realities and the human condition from the viewpoint that all occurrences (past, present, and future) in this physical life have their origins in the spiritual realm. Furthermore, I explore our conscious choice for a divine connection into that spiritual realm for God-ordained purpose and meaning. I was brought up in a Christian home from which I had strayed during my teenage years through my thirtieth year of life when I was forced by unforseen events to journey on my search for fulfillment. Having a passionate affinity for poetic expression, poetry became my writing media for conveying the emotions that wracked my soul during this journey. I hope that I will be able to touch the lives of others embarked on similar journeys in making my writings public. I have found my purpose in life and my solemn wish is to help others achieve the same. In the words of John Keats taken from his poem "Fancy" are the following words that struck a chord within me. “Open wide the mind’s cage-door,   She’ll dart forth, and cloudward soar.”