A Fraction of Me

A Fraction of Me, Prose and Poetry for the New Century is more than a book of poetry. It is a book dedicated to creating a greater understanding and appreciation of what it means to be human. The book has seven parts: The first two, reflect on the cultural perspective of the author, he then reflects on the interactions of one human being to another, his love of the sea, other thoughts, childhood memories and finally, expressions of philosophy. An American of African decent, Vasco has experienced the pains of growing up in America as a person of color. He uses his verse as a weapon against the ignorance and foolishness created by bigotry and hate. He not only expresses the problems he sees but offers a solution as well. The events of September 11, 2001 make it imperative that we deal with the real problem of good versus evil. Vasco feels that good and evil do not exist outside us but the potential for both exist within our own lives. We have the power to decide which one will prevail. Read this book. Find and discover the fraction of you that exists in Vasco Pires, and all of us.

Vasco R. A. Pires is first of all an artist, a teacher and a humanitarian. He has dedicated his life to the service of others. Through his writing and artistic expressions, he shares what he has found to bring great satisfaction and hope in his life. Born in the Steel Mill and Coal mining Region of the Mid West in November of 1941, Mr. Pires has always had a sense of reality in life. An awareness of what had to be done to survive and be successful. Service in the United States Navy gave him an opportunity, to fulfill a childhood dream of going to sea. His Capeverdean heritage is steeped in the history of slavery and seagoing whalers from the African nation of the Republic of Cabo Verde. He was the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Education, from the Massachusetts College of Art. His Art Works are in Many Private Collections and The Museum of The National Center of African-American Artists, Boston, Mass. Distinguished Member, International Society of Poets, and the Academy of American Poets. He was a Poetry Workshop Co-Presenter, at the Capeverdean Festival, sponsored by The Boston Center for the Arts, June 1996. Selected as a participant at William Joiner Center’s Annual Writer’s Workshop at the University of Mass. Boston, June 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000. Vasco was a participant in the Young at Arts “Positively Poetic” Workshop at the Wang Center for the Performing Arts, Boston January 1997 and in March of 2001, AMMI Collaborative Workshop with Fred Marchant and Eva Bourke. Performances: Talking Drum Poets, Over soul Theater Collective, Director Mwalim Peters. Vasco was a featured Poet along with the award winning Poet Carl Phillips at the Falmouth Historical Society’s Annual Katharine Lee Bates Poetry Festival, in Falmouth Mass. 2000. N. L. P. Editor’s Choice awards, 1995 and 1996 and 2000. In 2002, Vasco was conferred with the Justice Award, for his long-standing, meritorious contributions to the development of his country. And the world through his sincere dedication to peace, justice and the happiness of humanity, for his volunteer efforts over the last 24 years as a member of the Soka Gakkai International-USA, a Buddhist Society which promotes education, peace and culture. Daisaku Ikeda, its International president, is founder of Soka University in Japan and the United States.