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About the Book

        I began to write poetry about one year ago. Having no formal training, it has been a

learning experience. My motivation was due to family tragedy. I started writing as a

means of expressing my emotions. Much of my poetry is of a dark nature and somewhat

depressing. For example, the poem “Survivor” was inspired by a natural disaster I

viewed on the evening news.

        Some of my poetry is based on real people, places and occurrences. “Over The Hill”

Is an actual tavern next door to my home. The characters are friends of mine. The poem

“Ponder” describes a pond which is situated in Osbornedale, a 350-acre state park that

is located in Derby, Ct. It was there at a picnic table that I wrote the poem entitled

“Welcome To Hell”, which I consider my masterpiece.

        The theme of my poem “Priceless” represents my childhood memories of a

beautiful pine forest where I played as a child growing up in East Derby. This place no

longer exists, I’m sad to say, due to development of residential housing.

         “Retro-respect” is about my personal experiences at the original Woodstock

Rock Festival in the summer of 1969. I really did attend it with my friend Bob. I ended

up on the album cover as described in the poem.

        The poems “Winners” and “Twenty Lines”  have sarcastic and cynical messages

representing my frustrations with poetry website policies. That is my primary reason for

for creating my own book of poetry. I sincerely hope the readers enjoy it.

         I am very pleased to take this opportunity to thank my eldest daughter Trisha for

co-writing two of the poems in the book, appropriately entitled “Father” and

“Our Prayer.”

About the Author

I am divorced and have two adult daughters and a baby grandson.  I was born one of fi ve children, having three brothers and one sister. Being of Italian heritage and Roman Catholic, I was provided with a happy and respectable upbringing. I am vehemently opposed to the secular progressive movement in America. Several poems in this book will reinforce my beliefs.  I was born in Derby Connecticut, which the smallest city in the state.

Derby is unique in many ways. For one, it is very old, being founded in 1675.  The city has much historical signifi cance. For example, it is believed, though not verifi ed, that the oldest public cemetery in the U.S. is located in Derby.  The Uptown Cemetery, which was started in 1687, is located along the banks Of the Naugatuck River. This river fl ows south to downtown Derby, where it merges with the Housatonic River. At this junction the river becomes tidal to form the Housatonic River Estuary. This body of water fl ows thirteen miles to empty into Long Island Sound.

I am a mechanical designer and I create three-dimensional solid models using computer software. I have been awarded several design patents in the U.S. and abroad. I’m pleased to say I have achieved poet laureate ranking on a popular poetry website. I have been recognized and awarded by The League of American Poets, as well as The International Library of Poetry. The awards include the Poet of The Year Medallion, the Editor’s Choice Award and the Shakespeare Trophy of Excellence.

Some of my favorite artists are, George Carlin, Clint Eastwood and Eric Clapton. My hobbies include playing guitar, fi shing, hunting and Nascar racing. While a student I was elected class clown. I believe my sense of humor has served me well through hard times. I can describe myself in only a few words. I am cynical, sarcastic and somewhat ambiguous. Many people would fi nd me to be politically incorrect.