Hi! I am Cynthia Castle. I have been a reader here on the Den since April, 2004.  I mostly like to read poetry and occasionally I dabble with writing.   I really don’t have time to write often, but I love reading all the very talented authors here at AD. I occasionally have time to make comments by posting reviews, but I read a lot more of everyone’s poetry, stories, and articles than I ever review.  I truly enjoy reading everyone's writes and will continue to read.  I have been persuaded by several authors to remain an author here on the Den, so look for an occasional posting of mine.  Thank you all for sharing your talent. My career (I am a dietitian), my family and friends, my dog and my love for travel keep me very busy.  I do enjoy writing poetry from time-to-time, but don’t write that often.  I have been dabbling (only dabbling!) with poetry off and on since I was in high school.  I have always loved reading poetry.  I am a very sensitive person and am deeply touched by all sorts of poetry.  I love people of all ages (including children), animals, nature, etc.  In general I love life and almost everything.  Except hatred …I hate hatred!  Also disrespect, deception, and lies are all things that I despise!  My Mother and Grandmother (her mother) were the two greatest women that I have ever known.  If I have inherited even a portion of their wonderful and loving traits, then I am fortunate.  I have adopted their values and and have done my best to instill them in my children. My Mother, my Father, my two brothers and my Grandmother have all been influential in my life. I would like to share one of my all time favorite poems with you.  It expresses how I feel.  I did not write it.  It is written by an author named Larry S. Chengges, titled "Accept Me"   ACCEPT ME   I am I Do not change me Condemn me Nor put me down Accept me for what I am No..you need not agree with me But Accept Me For I am total in being I have my faults I have my guilts But that is who I am Perfect I will never be Allow me to be uninhibited Do not pressure me into feeling What I do not feel Accept Me when I am flying high As I have accepted you when You were flying high Do not put me down.. Nor make me unhappy about me I am I And I like being what I am.. Me Author: Larry Chengges