As I worked my way through the years my writing was confined to stories, poems and letters shared only with family and friends.  Now writing is my work and my joy.  I am a full time poet. For six years I have been working at improving my craft.  My poems have been published in the Fourth Coast Arts Magazine and in an anthology "Said and Unsaid: A Collection of Poets" from Iconic Publishing under their Winding Road Press logo.  In 2012 one of my poems "Words Then Space" was a runner-up in the Faulkner - Wisdom poetry competition.  Several other of my poems have been finalist or short list for finalist in that competition since 2010. My influences are varied.  Since I lack an academic background I have relied on extensive reading and study to prepare myself for this job of writing.  My list of admired poets is lengthy and includes:  Frost, Dickinson, Robert Lowell, Billy Collins, Ted Kooser, Sherman Alexie, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Odin Roark, Margaret Atwood, Charles Bukowski, Thomas Merton and on and on.  The poetic criticism of Harold Bloom has also helped to shape my work. I need to write.  Perhaps I have something to say.  The reader will decide.  

Second Runner-up 2012 Faulkner - Wisdom Poetry Competition
Finalist, Short List for finalist, Semi-finalist 2010 - 2012 Faulkner - Wisdom Poetry Competition