Hand in Hand

About the Book

Finding a soul mate is an event longed for by dreamers, sought after by suitors, and written of by poets—in a search for the abiding Oneness that comes to us through love. This book embraces truths every man should understand about his woman and realities each woman needs to know about her man. My first experience with relationships was imparted by parents who lived together happily for fifty-four years! This work is a testament to their union and the upbringing they gave my brother, Dan, and me—an upbringing that fostered love for people of both genders and diverse cultures. Many poems in this work reference man's reliance on water—the influence that rain, rivers, oceans, and tides have upon our births and destinies. Other allusions mention blood, tears, and the sources of light we connect with—fire, the sun, the moon, planets, stars, galaxies, as well as the cosmic light that lives within us and binds all together.

About the Author

Russell MacClaren grew up in New Orleans, participated in organized athletics, practiced yoga, lifted weights, worked as a lifeguard and camp counselor, involved himself in every activity healthy young men can pursue. His major in English literature at Southeastern Louisiana University was interrupted his senior year by a tour in Vietnam where he fought honorably in the 173rd Airborne brigade. After his tour, he returned to school, served as a Scoutmaster, sang in choirs and counseled members of his congregation while serving as a bishop in the Mormon church. Now retired, he often volunteers his labor to friends in New Orleans, where he continues to write. In his work life, Russell traveled widely as a union electrician, working and running work on homes, apartments and every type of marine, commercial and industrial complex one can imagine. During his stay in North Carolina, he served as an instructor in the electrical apprenticeship program at Wake Tech for Local 553 of the Raleigh/ Durham IBEW. In North Carolina, Russell became a dedicated poet, overseeing the Sam Regan contest for High School and College students with the Poetry Council of North Carolina. He also co-organized workshops under the auspices of the North Carolina Poetry Society and gave poetry readings on public television. In addition to the NCPS and PCNC, he joined the Friday Noon Poets and several fiction writers groups. Since his return to New Orleans, he has attended Poets Alive, Realms of Fiction Writers, Society of Children’s Book Writers and the Southern Christian Writers Group. He reads at local venues as well as open mikes and is pleased to be an honorary member of The Mad Poets of New Zealand, sponsored by his friend, Judy Casey. Much of his time is devoted to penning poetry, short stories, essays, children’s books and writing novels. Russell’s poetry has been published by numerous small presses, anthologies, contests, on-line blogs and magazines. Hand in Hand is his third volume of personal poetry.