Category: Poetry Publisher: Publish America
Pages: 108
Copyright: March 2005
ISBN-13: 9781413766257
Writer turns life's pain into poetry. One month after the release of PublishAmerica's Author Richard Michael Lobes first book of poetry "Simple Rhymes for Difficult Times" released April 2005. Richard's story sparks interest. Liberty Suburban Chicago Newspapers featured the author’s story in their May 12th edition. An addition feature will appear in the June edition of Skuawk! Skuawk.com is NEW entertainment webzine. A periodical on-line publication that will introduce new and already established artists, both independent and mainstream, in the following categories: Film, Photography, Literature, Music and much more. After recent media attention a new website has been launched. Simple Rhymes for Difficult Times new site is: SimpleRhymes.com
Richard Michael Lobes was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1957, the first of three sons of a truck driver and homemaker. Richard's parents divorced before his fifth birthday. Raised then by his mother, Dorothy, their family continually struggled to make ends meet. Moving nearly yearly, they lived in Maywood, IL, until Richard joined the Army at age 17. After the Army, Richard took various positions. After a couple of years, he landed a position as a computer operator. Sticking with computers, Richard did very well for over twenty years. Rising through the ranks with a few companies, Richard held director and vice president positions until he started his own company. After his company failed, the death of a son, a divorce from his wife, fighting depression and struggling financially, Richard took a few months off and began to write his "simple rhymes." Within months, he had put together over a hundred pieces. Contained within these pages are some of his pieces, which helped him through his difficult times.
One day in July 2004, Richard Michael Lobes wrote a poem. The following day he composed another, and then another. After three months, he had a publishable collection. Mr. Lobes had been through some difficult times in his life, which warranted deep sorrow and carried much emotion. And his chosen method of expressing himself turned into the inspiring Simple Rhymes for Difficult Times.
The topics, which Lobes reflects on in Simple Rhymes for Difficult Times, include divorce and its effect on children, time, the current state of our world, and death. It is clear that the single event that affected Lobes the most was the death of his son. He refers to this tragedy frequently throughout his poetry collection.
In “Not All Bad,” Lobes tells how in a marriage the negative seems to overshadow all the love and good things that once were shared. He writes:
It was not all bad
But this we cannot see
Blurred by what we do not have
Is how it has to be
In “On and Off,” he expresses how his divorce has affected his daughter:
I am tired of the on and off and She has her own thoughts and position
In “Takes a Year,” Lobes reflects on the concept of how time is suppose to heal wounds:
They say it takes a year
For some of the pain to disappear…
Then another year comes near
All the pain reappears…
It’s enough to make you drink a lot of beer
But you don’t, you wait another year
In the poems to his son such as “To Joshua,” and “Just a Nut Without a Son,” Lobes’ great loss and immeasurable sorrow are clear:
You gave me more Love than I knew a person could give…
Your passing did break my heart
But what you gave keeps it from falling apart
So every day I remember my Son without a shell
Even if living without him feels like hell
Knowing the dreams that he did perceive
Is one of the reasons I will no longer grieve
Richard Lobes writes of many things we can all relate to. Many readers will find themselves fortunate enough though to have not experienced the more difficult issues of which Lobes writes. However, these poems will certainly provide an insight on how we can better understand others who have. Simple Rhymes for Difficult Times is a remarkable first effort for Richard Michael Lobes, and from the recognition he has received already – it looks like more Simple Rhymes is already in the works.
To find out more about this talented poet and his book, visit Simple Rhymes
Writer Turns Life's Pain into Poetry
May 19, 2005 -- Last July Richard Lobes sat down one day and wrote a poem after a difficult time in his life. The next day he wrote another poem. And the next day he wrote another. Some days he wrote two or three.
After three months he decided to send his collection of poems to a publisher. This month his book of poems, "Simple Rhymes for Difficult Times," is being released at Barnes and Noble in Wheaton.
"I love to write simple rhymes," said Lobes, who works in the computer industry and until July had only written technical articles.
While at his former in-laws' home in Door County last July, Lobes began to write:
"Upon tranquil meadows and fields of hay
Is a place where everyday troubles go away
Peace and quiet without worry
Far away from our big-city hurry
It's a place to rest your mind
No importance is placed on time"
Lobes nonchalantly explained how he researched publishers and chose PublishAmerica based on their slogan, " We treat our authors the old-fashioned way, we pay them." PublishAmerica was the only publisher to which he sent his work. That was in September 2004.
"They sent back a publishing contract with a minuscule advance and clearly spelled out percentages based on sales," said Lobes.
The publishing company sent him a dollar bill and agreed to give him two author-copies of his book when it was printed and a small percentage of the sales.
But Lobes did not write for the money, he wrote to share his story.
When Lobes was 17 years old he enlisted into the army, leaving behind a pregnant girlfriend. Eventually the couple did marry but not until their son, Joshua, was already a teenager. For almost 10 years, life was good for Lobes with his wife, son and daughter, Megan, until one night when Joshua went out with a group of estranged friends and overdosed on heroin.
Lobes captured on paper his feelings from that tragedy.
"It can be very sad knowing he is not here
Days grow long without someone dear
I miss his big hugs and cheer
My truly only wish is that he is near"
"Once I started writing, it was like a flood of emotions that I could not stop," said Lobes.
"People have told me that I am brave to be so vulnerable with my emotions by putting them in print," said Lobes, who also wrote about divorce, depression, dating and parenting in his book. "My only hope is that people will read the poems and find some comfort from their own difficult times."
Lobes received and approved the proofs for his book in March, got the art work back from the cover design department in April and was informed that the official release date would be May 30.
"They said it might be out sooner," Lobes said. "I noticed it is online at Borders, Barnes and Nobles and Amazon.com. It must be selling because it has moved up in rank."
One review from the Amazon Web site reads, "Lobes is an incredibly talented writer who can grasp the essence of his emotions and then mold it into a playful romp or a sobering slice of life. I admire his courage in allowing a very private part of himself to be published."
"So far it feels pretty good," said Lobes about being a published author.
Lobes continues to write simple rhymes just as he did last summer by following his heart and not necessarily the structured guidelines of the haiku, free verse, limerick or other types of poems.
"When I get another 100 or so together, I'll probably send them off to the publisher again," Lobes said.
Around Town is a weekly column appearing Thursdays. Ideas and items for the column can be sent to Melanie Murphy in care of The Wheaton Leader, 800 Roosevelt Road, Building D, Suite 107, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, faxed to (630) 545-1142 or e-mailed to e-mail protected from spam bots.
"Simple Rhymes for Difficult Times"
Author: Richard Lobes
Paperback: 108 pages
Publisher: PublishAmerica (April, 2005)
ISBN: 1413766250
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 5.1 ounces
Available at Borders Books, PublishAmerica, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble and Anderson Books.
www.SimpleRhymes.com
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