Rocks, Shoals and Fair Winds

Written over sixty years, this book is an anthology of poems and song lyrics which shows early efforts and more recent attempts to write poetry. This collection of work is an emotional journey which began with his experiences studying, teaching, and loving in Europe for nearly seven years. During that time, the author was a poll watcher for the 1973 Border Poll which was a poll taken to determine whether Northern Ireland should remain part of the UK. A witness to the disarming of the Ulster B specials and the disbanding of the RU constabulary, the brutality and one-sided policing inspired the poem “No Peace”. The author traveled extensively in Ireland and reported on its troubles. He shared his observations with James Callaghan, Britain’s Home Secretary. Family encouraged this effort to “leave a legacy” - see the poem “A Thing Well Made”. There are poems about friends, war losses, and regrets. During the war in Vietnam, many marriages and relationships did not survive. The poem “Remembering” recounts such loss. At the time of its writing, the poem, “Never”, gives voice to his regret that he did not have a child. Reflections on teaching politics encouraged a few poems and finding the love of his life encouraged many more. Now into his eighties, he looks back, reviews his choices, and gives voice to his thinking.