Reflections of a Wayward Soul
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
My Father, My Friend
Fortunate son of a misfortunate father
his world paid him no mind, they would not bother
Choking on lies the more he would trust
his youth passed away like wind carried dust
Worked like a dog, his fingers to the bone
yet not one piece of the dream was ever his own
A wife and a son, a family to protect
but for all of his efforts he was paid with neglect
A solitary man with purpose and pride
he was honest and true, direct in his stride
Gentle and kind though not without fault
his son was a bastard, the curse of his salt
Still he prevailed, refusing to fall
steady as a rock, hard through it all
His pain was not shown, that wasn’t his way
yet pain was the sun that lighted his day
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
This collection of poetry can best be described as modern interpretations to age old struggles. Because of our internal conflicts in regards to finding our “niche” in this world, these works attempt to explore the feelings of doubt and frustration felt by so many. Generally considered to be a lost generation, we are confronted with many issues. The poems herein attempt, at least in some fashion, to illuminate some of the troubling aspects of life with which we wrestle.
Some of the poetry is intrinsically dark by nature, exploring the many different paths to destruction that we as a people seem so hell-bent on traveling. Many deal with the controversial and deeply personal subject of faith and often, the lack thereof. Other topics covered include my relationship with my father, the inevitability of death and issues of spirituality. My own deeply personal struggles with alcoholism and addiction and other perplexing life issues are also included, as is the prevailing sense of disconnectedness that others of my generation and myself share.
Still other poems are dedicated to fond memories, the richness of life, the call to arms of helping our fellow man and the glory of living with purpose. More simply, it is my personal take on the things I’ve observed while participating in life. In as much, the poems are the Reflections of
About the Author
Reflections of a Wayward Soul is the first published work of novelist/poet Don Williams, Jr. He has written three other poetry anthologies (Musings of a Common Man, A Cleansing of the Heart and An Awakening of the Spirit) which will soon follow Reflections of a Wayward Soul into print. He has also completed his first novel, The Painmaker (yet to be published), is close to completion of his second, entitled Freedom Music, and has others in the works. A college graduate who had long worked in the field of social work, he has now left the arena of social service to concentrate his ambitions on his dream of writing for a living. He lists among his influences such notable writers as Robert Frost, Don Blanding, Jim Morrison, John Steinbeck, Norman Mailer, Jack Kerouac and Harper Lee. His favorite books are To Kill a Mockingbird, Of Mice and Men and Tuesdays with Morrie. Robert Frost, Don Blanding and Maya Angelou are his favorite poets. He also credits Jimmy Buffett and Merle Haggard (“the poet of the common man”) with being men of lyrical inspiration. Mr. Williams splits his time between