Karen M Miner
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I fell in love with poetry at a young age. When other pre-teens were toting their diaries about, I fancied myself a spirit like Emily Dickinson; aloof, mysterious and ethereal; I wrote in verse nearly every night -- dew on the grass, a torn movie ticket, the saintly feeling of crisp white sheets — nothing escaped my pen! My paternal grandmother died on the very day I was born. As my soul came to earth, she was one floor up in the same hospital releasing her lovely soul to heaven. She insisted my father hand her many notebooks of poetry down to me; the granddaughter she would never meet. That single gesture set me on a poetic path from which I have never wavered. Poetry, I have long maintained, is the DNA of our souls. As I read my grandmother's verse, I realized I was full to the brim with verse of my own! Now in my "golden years," with two grown children and three grandchildren of my own, I have amassed a trunk full of notebooks chronicling my life and perceptions of the world from age eleven to the present. I have co-authored two books: Eternal Not Immortal, and Postcards from Baghdad; both written with my kindred spirit poet and soul mate Robert Moreland. I met Bob on the old "blue" poet site. He read the work I was writing at that time -- largely about my battle with breast cancer, and metastasis. Amazingly we wrote together, edited together, and published both books before ever having met face to face. The experience was more therapeutic than radiation and chemo. In many ways, Bob's devotion to poetry became my lifeline.I am a Registered Nurse by vocation. I have two college degrees, one in Liberal Arts and one in Science/Nursing. Whenever the opportunity arose to take a writing course, a literature course, a poetry course, I signed on. I am most comfortable in My "poet" persona... tucked away in my den, attempting to paint with words, or reading with great interest the word painting accomplished by both the masters of old and all of you here at PFI. On a challenge from Bob, I began researching poetic forms several years ago. While I enjoy free verse; it has been a joy to learn the proper construct of everything from English Sonnets, to Pantoums and Nonets. I would encourage any poet to explore the many forms available — some dating back from the 1500s! Poets for Integrity has been a blessing for me. Plenty of sites out there are full of points and patches and such. Here we have a camaraderie and sincere home with so many fine poets who are willing to gift one another with valid comments, helpful suggestions, and encouragement. I thank Martin for the honor bestowed. Still, with close to fifty years of writing behind me, I am a novice who courts the muse now as I did as a child. I wish each of you the joy poetry has brought to me throughout my life. God Bless! — Karen M Miner |