I never was one for literature and had but a passing interest in poetry. I never fancied myself a writer. I discovered my passion for writing poetry at age 48 when after composing what I thought was but a sweet little poem to my wife for our wedding my friends' reactions to the piece shocked me. So I wrote a few more. This is how it began. Since to my surprise the words have just continued to pour out, this process has led to the collection of poems you will find on these pages. Because of a Great Longing, my first book.