I retired from the US Navy in 1982, with survival dictating that I continue employment until recently.(July of 2007). Now I am officially retired. I have yet to encounter an epiphany nor have I structured a plan or direction for my remaining years. Just take and attempt to enjoy the coming days as they are granted to me. I have been writing less over the past few years but perhaps now with a "lot" of time on my hands I may decide to write more. I have written a lot of ryhme, some free verse and a general mixture of what I have defined as poetry. As was said in the movie Treasure of the Sierra Madre, "Badges, we don't need no stinkin' badges",  I say "My pen, my paper. If I say it's poetry, then it's poetry." I have not been published except on the Web. Some of my verses have been used by publishers of e-cards. Others have been appreciated by others in as much they have posted them on their web sites. There is so much diversification in the world of poets as to what constitutes poetry, I think about 98% of it is just so much garbage. Then again, I can go to a museum and failed to understand the meaning of a piece of art or whether it is even right-side up. I guess when it comes to analysis of poetry, I don't possess the necessary skills. I just enjoy it or I don't.   ******************* Poetry can be defined as........... An effort made to express a feeling a salve to start emotions healing Or tell the world just what is thought and answers gave when none were sought