The poetry in this volume was written over a span of years from my early twenties to as recently as this, my 81st year. I make no judgment about them except to say that while some are intentionally lighthearted, made with quick construction, and some with a distinct detail to a strict format, all were given whatever capacity and talent I possessed to create serious work. Some, such as AGO, literally surprised me at first view, they traveled from heart or head to the paper so quickly. Last Tango In Manhattan was written the morning after the 911 tragedy, after I, like so many, watched it unfold on TV. Others took a long time and considerable effort to express what I felt. A Sonnet to my Beloved is an example. Way back there in a class on Shakespeare, I began an attempt to write in the sonnet form about what I would consider the ideal woman. Accordingly, in their turns, life and death and love and hate and laughter and anger and grief and other attributes of the incredible Mystery of Life are visited. Truth told, I wrote only to please myself, but I do hope you enjoy them. If you weep or laugh or are angry, then the poem was expressed (more or less) correctly. If at least one catches your eye or captures your heart, I will be very pleased.