Publisher's Synopsis
I have been writing prose for well over 35 years. I can first remember writing prose in public school. If my memory serves me correctly, the first poem of any significance for me was one that I wrote about Anne Frank in grade 7 or 8 for my teacher, Ms. Asher. I remember that the poem started off as follows: Anne Frank was one of a kind; she always had a one track mind. Love, friendship, obedience too - This is all that I can remember. It must have had a very positive impact on me because I have been writing prose ever since. A number of my poems have turned into songs. As it turned out, Ms. Asher was not only my grade school teacher; she was also my private guitar/music teacher. She is one of many people in my life who truly inspired me. She reinforced my writing, guitar playing and my singing. She even invited me to accompany my primary school choir on the guitar when we recorded our own album. Thanks Barb! For me, my poems and songs have all been about inspiration. What was inspiring me at the moment that invited me to express myself through writing? Many of us turn to the written word as a means of expression and/or release. Many of us turn to many other forms of expression: drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, playing an instrument, climbing mountains, paddling, golfing, walking, etc. We are all so very fortunate to live in a world that is so very inspiring. I also do one on one and peer group facilitation in my role at The West Coast Men's Support Society. I like to invite my clients to imagine and to remember positive memories in their lives to awaken that part of themselves. It is very satisfying to witness someone going from a very deep dark place to smiling while they remember a moment in time with a special person who made a difference to them. I often invite my clients to take these sorts of memories and spread them out in front of them in order to draw them forth in their lives, rather than let other darker harsher moments to drag them down and backwards. I truly hope that the poems on the following pages support you in moving forward in your life rather than back; that they help you to dream and to hope. Life can be very dark and dreary. Life can be very hard. I hope and pray that one or more of my poems bring you comfort and joy during the moments when the sun is not shining in your life. In Community, G. (Grant) Martin Waldman The Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada April 2014