I'm a fairly literate opinionated 76 year old survivor whose life has been influenced by many courageous personalities from all walks of life. Most of all my major influences after parents have been writers, and teachers. I can't begin to list them all so I won't list any.  I will say I am because they were. I write primarily under the name M. Bennett Hooper, M is for myself whom I am discovering daily, Bennett is for my father whom I miss, and Hooper is for my lover/husband who has shown me the true meaning of unconditional love with 58 years of friendship. How is a 55+ year marriage achieved? Marry a man/woman who worships you and return the flavor We  celebrated 57 years of true bliss on 18 August 2013..We do it our way.  

I have been a co host at one weekly poetry venue in Memphis,TN,formerely an MC at an ongoing weekly poetry venue in West Memphis, AR. Former Events Editor of MemphisPoetry.com. Former Slam winner of Memphis Sound & Syllable under Thom Holcomb. Past Host of an African American weekly internet radio show which featued,news, dialogue, and poetry. Former weekly columnist(1986) in the old Arkansas State Press under the ownership of the late legendary Daisy Bates.