The flesh is the most erotic parchment in the world. Somewhere between erotica and romance, there is a hidden edge where want, need and desire come together; where expressions of a heart's immeasurable devotion can find a voice near yearning's searing fires. Here is where the odyssey of longing and love find footfall on passions path. This is the convergence of the sacred and the profane, of a man to a woman completely given. ...where touch has a sensuality that transcends the physical, and embraces the spiritual ... This is the soul's words finding flesh, then baring it in the softness of the female form and the iron willed bonds of love's making. Each kiss, each touch, each breath and heart beat, writing one more page, forging one more tender tether in Love's Velvet Reins. This is the first in an autobiographical collection of poetry inspired by a woman in his journey's search for a muse and soulmate, a lover and best friend. This poetry journals all aspects of any journey's trials, travails, fantasies and realities wherein the heart is concerned; this poetry also reflects love's affect upon a onetime cynic, showing him how to love, but also that he could be loved in return, teaching him the heart can become the true poet. Love's Velvet Reins is also the culmination of a lifelong dream to become a published poet, a dream that began in 1982, but with deeper roots to elementary school years in his hometown of Minneapolis. What was once velveteen to him became real through his own reflection in the mirror of her eyes. Her love made him real, waking his sleeping heart, waking the true poet in him.