Writing is something we all do. It is about finding a purpose beyond our immediate need. My sense is that writing with purpose (story, poetry, journaling etc.) is an excellent cost effective mental health tool. Putting this collection together to my surprise, delight in some cases, and shock in others I witness repetitive themes.This indicated one of two things; I am stuck, which is certainly the case on some days, but also it means very little has changed over the years in terms of what fascinates, appalls, and motivates me to use the power of the pen, to express what I witness. This is both a sadness and a joy-one of the many paradoxes of life. By bringing this collection to readers, I encourage everyone to write poetry. We all can. I know we all speak in poetry, often we simply don't recognize it. It is about developing an ear for the important stuff and knocking out the boring stuff, listening from inside out and putting pen to paper. The practice of poetry is truly a gift.