John Binder's poems are quick, simple, casual. They aim to make a point and perhaps inspire. The mood of some is a bit gloomy to suit the present atmosphere. Joe Romano's paintings were selected from his large collection to comment on and compliment the poems. They are not intended to illustrate the words but to offer their own dynamic vision. Combining them in Jeanne Field's designs is its own work of art.

John Binder's poems are quick, simple, casual. They aim to make a point and perhaps inspire. The mood of some is a bit gloomy to suit the present atmosphere. Others are romantic or philosophical. Some tell a story while others are a slice of life. John began writing poetry while at Kenyon College and New York University. His life led him into the film business so he didn't get back to poetry until recently and it is some these that are in the book.

Joe Romano's paintings were selected from his large collection to comment on and compliment the poems. They are not intended to illustrate the words but to offer their own dynamic vision. Music has been his main creative outlet but painting became his other passion. In Los Angeles, he was invited to show some of his work at a local exhibition and he was "discovered" by a gallery that wanted to exhibit his work. He has continued to work in the music industry as a composer for film, records and theater. He is also a jazz trumpet virtuoso. His spare time is devoted to painting and art.

John Binder has been around for a while. He made documentary films out of New York in the 60s with his partner Michael Wadleigh, including one called "No Vietnamese Ever Called Me Nigger" which was recently installed in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. They and many friends made "Woodstock". He came to Hollywood and worked with Robert Altman and Allen Rudolph. He was head writer and a director on a western series, "Lazarus Man". Wrote a film for Willie Nelson, "Honeysuckle Rose", plus many film and TV projects. He wrote and directed just one feature, the cult film, "UFOria", and a play "Dreams Die Hard" about civil rights and a surprising murder in the '60s. He has written and directed short films and is now publishing books of poetry, fiction and a book of true short stories, "Who Needs Heaven", which he is fairly proud of.

Joe Romano began painting in the mid-sixties while attending the Combs Conservatory Of Music in Philadelphia. At that time he befriended the renowned artist and teacher Benjamin Britt whose studio was across the street from the Conservatory. Joe would spend several hours a week at Ben's studio watching him paint while working on some of his music studies there.

One day, Ben handed Joe some paint and said that he should make a picture. Although he had no training, and felt intimidated because of Ben's mastery of art, at Ben's insistence he "made a painting". "I was hooked", said Joe, and from that moment, although music was his main creative outlet, painting became his other passion. In 1974, while living in Los Angeles, he was invited to show some of his work at a local exhibition of Los Angeles artists, and he was "discovered" by a local gallery there that wanted to exhibit his work. He continued to work in the music industry, as a composer for film, records and theater. All his spare time was devoted to painting. 

In 1989, an art dealer he met wanted to do a one man show of his work for her private clients, many of whom were in the entertainment business. Of the 30 pieces assembled for the show, 19 sold on the first day, and his recognition among serious collectors began to take off. Since then he has shown in many galleries and exhibitions, mostly in the Los Angeles area.

Joe lives in Ashland, OR with his wife, playwright Lisa Loomer, and their son Marcello.