Ghost Dancing in Solitude

This collection of poetry spanning five decades is a fetching together of pieces from a larger assortment. Poems included range from lyrical and free verse, to lengthy narrative and miscellaneous poems containing dialogue. Such diversity normally suggests structural influences over time; however, the author preferred not to arrange poems chronologically, rather, to observe the sum as a present experience. ‘Why would a collection of poems also contain an essay? Because a poem is compact: the meticulous workings of a tiny watch. But an essay: Well, that’s like the wind blowin’ pages out the back of an old rumble seat. Obviously, there’s something I wish to say in my elder years.’ Other books by the author include: Hold Fast to Quiet Things; Delphic Particle; Menitheos, the Skeptical Savior and Unstrained Mercy. Poems have appeared in various anthologizes including Lyrical Iowa. The author received a master’s degree in psychology and counseling. He has been a stringed musical instrument and custom furniture maker, a wood sculptor, and achieved certification from the Professional Photographers of America. In 1984 he was presented the ‘Frank Medlar Award’ for the Best Professional Portrait in a five-state exhibition. Prior to retiring he was employed by Iowa Valley Community College as a program administrator and instructor.