Light and Dark: 1982 Edition Revised

Light and Dark is a curious collection or "runic ragout of wry rhyme writing" sporadically spread over a broad spectrum of topics alphabetically ranging from Aardvark to Zeitgeist and all written by Tom E. Shaffer. Actually this is a somewhat revised version of a book of my highly variegated "verse-style" compositions which I had first assembled and self-published back in 1982. Quoting from that original introduction 'to describe the dominant character and and style of its content, I was tempted to reply in the manner of a recipe: Mix equal portions of Ogden Nash, e.g. The Purist and that Edwin A. Robinson of Richard Cory fame; add a pinch of Poe, a bit of Bierce and a hint of Herrick; and then blend as well as poetically possible and carefully pour into a Bob Browning "dramatic monologue" mold ... etcetera etc.' These poems were fully intended to be read aloud with equal emphasis on both their music and message. This revised version takes advantage of word processing features unavailable to me back then but they can now greatly aid readers both to better understand individual poems or when reading them aloud, if sharing with others. I also hope it will serve as an easy introduction to all my other kindred pieces written since which have been waiting so long to take their place within comfortable covers on some suitable shelf, night stand or coffee table. This assiduous assemblage has been conceived as a Light and Dark ... collection!