Pathways

– Felis Andrews-Pope
Hollywood, California

This remarkable collection of poetry shimmers with life to give us a brilliant reflection of our own treasured experiences. A man intimately connected to his world, Henry Cypriano reveals a near lifetime of moments captured in flight and memories carefully carried along the way. Each time, he writes with an urgency that draws you into the moment and holds you there. Using a rich variety of poetic forms, sometimes he gives it to us "quicker than you can drop a bottle," as in My Old Bike. Sometimes he lingers as in Wiesbaden, in moments we fear we might somehow lose. On the daring path of a life well lived, Cypriano is a welcome and hospitable guide. In PATHWAYS, he shows us where the going is easy and gives us a hand up over the rocky places.
Susan Kendrick
Hayword, Wisconsin

PATHWAYS

Palm Springs resident Henry Cypriano, 74, has chosen to share with the world a group of poems, most of which he wrote during his 22 years service in the U.S. Army and Air Force and earlier, in the U.S. Merchant Marine Service during World War II.

Born in Hawaii, Cypriano served in Germany, where he met his wife of 37 years. Upon her death, he decided to publish his poetry. Now available in a slim 136-page hardcover edition, this is the result of his determined efforts:

While a soldier, Cypriano captured his impressions of military life - and death. He speaks of feelings, of loss, of bars and women, of longing for home, and his dreams of changing the world for the better. His language and imagery are strong, masculine, yet sensitive. His verse is direct and readable, his words familiar enough to let the reader into his vision.
Alice McCracken
(In California Seniors)
El Cahon, California

Henry was the youngest child in a family of four sisters and a brother. Due to a serious bout with tuberculosis he was placed for about two years in the Kula Sanatorium situated on the slope of Haleakala, the volcanic crater in Maui.

Through some miracle, his mother’s prayers and help, he was cured. He was returned home to a normal childhood life in Lahaina. There, he attended Kamehameha III, a public grammar school, and upon its completion moved to Honolulu to live with his sisters.

He attended other schools and a business college. He worked at various jobs in Honolulu while World War II was already in full swing and recovering from Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor, on December 7, 1941.

His brother, George, had joined the U.S. Merchant Marine service, and being close, Henry, joined too, in order to be with his brother on board the ship he worked on. This request was denied; however, Henry was placed on another ship instead. He obtained his "seaman’s papers" as a Licensed Fireman, Oiler and Watertender for all oceangoing vessels during this time. He left the Merchant Marine service upon the Japanese surrender, worked in Honolulu for a short time, and then was drafted into the military service.

After infantry basic training at Schofield Barracks on O‘ahu, he was shipped to Europe with "a bunch of islanders" for a tour of duty there.

These early years in Europe were extremely harsh weather-wise for someone accustomed to the balmy Pacific climate! Further, the conditions in Europe were deplorable as a consequence of the war. But having good friends and buddies in the service, he stuck it out and became acclimated to Europe.

Military service for him was both educational and rewarding in molding his personality, improving his knowledge, and understanding people and the situations in which they found themselves. While in the service he completed his high school educational requirements and enrolled in business-related courses with the University of Maryland. His educational process was ongoing, formal or otherwise.

He spent several tours of duty in Europe, in and out of the military, returning to the U.S. in July of 1971.

While in Europe, Henry had spent some of his time and talents with American Little Theatre groups. He did artwork, acted and sang in weekly "Popular Song Hit Parades," performing for the American military audiences overseas.

His love for the live theatre and music blossomed upon his return to Los Angeles in 1971. Here, he wrote songs of his own and wrote lyrics for composers. He wrote a musical theme for a live play and another for a health fair. All the while he had been writing and collecting his poetry purely for his own enjoyment.

The material in this book contains portions of his collection. Many unknown and unpublished.

Henry married Mentana Ursula Merling in October of 1951 in Wiesbaden, West Germany.

Together, they eventually returned to the United States and remained together for 37 years, during that time they traveled throughout the world. She died from an illness in December of 1987. They have a son: Pierre François, age 43.

Henry, his son and family live in Los Angeles as well as in Palm Springs, California.