Since Mohamed Ali?then Cassius Clay?announced that he had written "The world's shortest poem," I have known that I would be a poet. "ME? WHEE!" His triumphant proclamation evoking shivers within my troubled teenaged identity, for I reasoned in rhyme.
Everyday, hundreds-of-thousands of seemingly sane souls satisfy some innate need to bare their concealed character via atrocious alliteration or in delusional doggerel. As in Kris Kristofferson's early works, the marvelous magic masquerades within sweet musical lyrics, providing us with eternal material transcending generational barriers.
Even if none but we are ever allowed to examine our hidden essence, an inner longing is unleashed?only to be squished?should we presume to be published.
In1978, I self-published my first poetry book, Beacon?, to an enthusiastic reception of some uninformed who didn't realize, fearing rejection, I had never submitted my musings to somber publishers. After all, Rod McKuen, suffering countless rejections, had self-published. And he was said?at that time?to be, "The world's most widely read poet."
To the accolade of local yokel fans, the following year, I followed up with Imperfections?, Verse by Russ Miles, songs and thoughts reflecting who, where, and what I was?at that time in my life. Even more well received, I was enjoying the affirmative attention of a metropolitan newspaper poetry editor insisting that I co-chair a college invitational symposium for wantabe poets with the State Poet LaTourette. My books selling well, a youthful, insatiable ego was being satisfactorily stroked.
Then, a strange thing happened. I caught a case of conscience. What if an unforgiving God held me accountable for my wanton actions or the impact of foisting my unholy understandings upon innocents?
Frightening purgatorial?or worse?reprisal prospects triggered instantaneous actions. Removing all remaining copies from the marketplaces which I had developed for distribution, I stopped penning poetry for the next twenty-five years.
Disabled at age fifty-three by Multiple Sclerosis, I found myself writing another book, For Sale By Owners:FSBO?. A mystery thriller novel evolved offering some insights that only a self-absorbed, worldly man of three messed-upped marriages could possibly convey.
I continue learning that God is so forgiving. How He can inspire good to come of all things. Even some of my old songs are once more awaiting discovery thanks to the song-writing, truck-driving character appearing between the FSBO covers.
By today's standards, Red Haring's vivid verse words and wayward rhyme renderings are no longer abysmal. Rather they reflect the subtle "It's all about me" immoral fiber of a masculine male?wrestling with post 9-11 internal issues?choosing to make changes in his so self-consumed life. Red's songs emerge to stimulate reflections within Brooklyn Best, the no-saint heroine, real estate agent with whom he becomes romantically involved?while being knitted together to unravel some horrific homicides?in this reality based novel. Through its use in a sub-plot, my poetry is being reborn.
As for Beacon? and Imperfections?, perhaps I'll offer my few remaining hand signed & numbered "First Edition" & "Limited Edition" poetry books on e-Bay?. After all, John Grisham's originally published novels are now collector's items aren't they?
Free-Reprint Article Written by: Russ Miles See Terms of Reprint Below.
Article Copyright: 2005
Author Contact Email: mailto:MilesRuss@Gmail.com
----------------------------------------------------------------- p>
TERMS OF REPRINT - Publication Rules
This is a Free-Reprint article. The only requirements for publishing this article are:
* You must leave the article and resource box unedited. You are not allowed to change the content of the article. Reformatting is permitted as necessary.
* You may not use this article in UCE (Unsolicited Commercial Email). Email distribution of this article MUST be opt-in email only.
* We ask that you forward a copy of the ezine or newsletter that contains the article inside to the author at: MilesRuss@Gmail.com
* If you post this article on a website, you MUST set any URL's or Mailto addresses in the body of the article and most especially in the Author's Resource Box as hyperlinks. We request that you also send us a copy of the URL where you have posted this article.
If you utilize this article in a printed magazine, or on paper publication, please snail mail a copy in full to Russ Miles 410 W 13th Street #807 Vancouver, WA 98660.
If you find any of the rules to be unsavory or unacceptable, please do not publish this article. While we are happy to make the content available to you for your own use, we must insist on having our rules and *Terms of Reprint* honored in full.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Russ Miles is the author of the novel, For Sale By Owners:FSBO. Seasoned Real Estate NAR? Broker Disabled by Multiple Sclerosis, FOR SALE BY OWNERS:FSBO ISBN 0-595-28703-4,in trade paperback, is available by phone or Internet:1-800-Authors to order direct! Very HOT?LINK Adobe e-book & hard cover editions also available FSBO at Amazon.com at Barnes and Noble and other fine booksellers.
Comments: milesruss@gmail.com.
Personal referrals to his publisher
limo prices to midway Crystal Lake west of Randal .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareI can see the cerulean blue of the skiesOr the... Read More
Footprints to Mantaro Valley (Peru; in English and Spanish)In what... Read More
My life has changedin so so many waysIt seems to... Read More
Have you ever sat there staring at the paper, ready... Read More
No one should have to beg or crawl before humanity.... Read More
Grandpa's House [The ole Real House]The house needed painting Sun-blistered... Read More
Poetry is more than just rhyming and prose that is... Read More
She probably can't remember and I know I can never... Read More
You speak simple, completley understandable justifications I respect them, respect... Read More
Sorry would be a start.Though you cant take back your... Read More
Here is some witty poetry (not sure if that is... Read More
Ode to Quetzalc?atlQuetzalc?atl the GreatNo one knew his true name,... Read More
Fair Andes! Thy arms reach highOf iron-woven solid stone Thu... Read More
The Exit Poems [And Socrates]Iron and FireIron can be... Read More
1.Evil's CreationThou knowith evil clings To tender peace-; Nor does... Read More
In Poetry: Meaning of WordsWhen I write poetry, I check... Read More
Here are three more poems by the author, Dennis Siluk,... Read More
Ole Bulky JeepsThrough late summer's heat These bulky shaped jeeps... Read More
On through the darkness she searches the bones Seeking the... Read More
English VersionA bunch of us guys in the hutIn ?Nam... Read More
"To My Dear and Loving Husband" was written by America's... Read More
It was not me as I am now. It was... Read More
You can show your poem to your mom, your spouse,... Read More
House of the Goblin [Part Two of Three]Here is where,... Read More
The Monster Mash The Graveyard SmashHave you heard of the... Read More
taxi o'hare Auburn ..Sometimes we feel hard-pressed, Our backs against the wall;... Read More
Since Mohamed Ali?then Cassius Clay?announced that he had written "The... Read More
Ded?cate to Antonio Castillo. L. Of. Los Andes UniversitarioOde to:The... Read More
You can show your poem to your mom, your spouse,... Read More
How I wonder what he's doing as I sit alone... Read More
Have you ever sat there staring at the paper, ready... Read More
Robert Burns, a poor man, an educated man, and a... Read More
Emlyn Williams Theatre, Mold, North Wales: 20th February 2003Clwyd Theatr... Read More
"How Do I Love Thee?" by Elizabeth Barrett Browning was... Read More
There I sat, ninety-five degree weatherOutside; the bookstore caf?, was... Read More
Once upon a midnight dreary, coffee cold and vision... Read More
Advance: Mr. Dennis Siluk's poetry can have its fire-hearted twists:... Read More
Ah! Leave the gold, wealth and landSays the Inca King?;... Read More
My life has changedin so so many waysIt seems to... Read More
Ocean Heal MeOcean heal my wounds Let your waves curl... Read More
The light of all eternity shines with me now /... Read More
You make me smile like I've seldom done before You... Read More
I wish we had met 20 years ago... A different... Read More
YOU MIGHT THINK I AM STRONGI THINK YOU GOT IT... Read More
No one should have to beg or crawl before humanity.... Read More
"All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling."--Oscar WildePeople write poetry... Read More
House of the Goblin [Part Two of Three]Here is where,... Read More
What Hides behind the Minute?What hides behind the minute? It... Read More
Advance: in Mr. Siluk's poetry one finds symbolist values, sensuous... Read More
Time goes by to quickly to hold your feelings inside... Read More
Poetry |