"Godzilla Beneath The Lamppost"

Poetry including a broad range of topics; for example A-Z or somewhere in-between.

"Godzilla Beneath The Lamppost" deals with a variety of subjects that surround us, we are surrounded by or are systemic and manifest themselves based on our five senses. The poetry can best be understood by those of us who are struggling with our identity, not necessarily sexual orientation although that is occasionally implied. Many of the poems require the reader to dig deeply into their understanding of what the writer is saying, not about himself, but about the reader. It's what's inside that counts based on one's understanding of the complexity of thought. if there is a disconnect it will be because the poem is being directed by an extracorporeal being, the poet's muse, who is communicating in a language known only to the writer; this is not, however, what the poet intends. Most, if not all, of the poems dealing with love, will easily be understood; so, likewise, will most of the poems dealing with God, as the poet knows Him. Some of the poems will easily be found to be too long and somewhat laborious and/or tedious, but the poet just got carried away with the love of words; love is frequently blind, but love should never be boring. It is obvious that a lot of the poetry is self-centered, but that is what can happen when the poet gets caught between the lines and is expected to write from that mysterious vantage point. Anyway, I had a lot of fun writing these poems, and I don't regret having published even one. I don't think I will have embarrassed myself too badly, but I am prepared for the ridicule when it comes. I've done what I love, and I am, by and large, happy with the result.

Richard Ilnicki is from Pittsburgh, Pa. He graduated from Youngstown State University in 1968. He is married with children and grandchildren. He still works full-time as a health club manager. He has published two novels and two short story collections. He has also published six books of poetry. One of his books of poetry "The Hatchet Man" is in the library of Yad Vashem, Jerusalem. He was a competitive bodybuilder in the Sixties and still works out five to six times a week. He is also a born-again Christian and has taught numerous Bible studies for the last thirty years. When he is not working or working out he is either reading or writing. He particularly loves Russian literature; his grandmother was from Ukraine, His grandfather was from Poland. He has the most obvious favorite Russian authors-Tolstoy and Dostoevsky, and numerous poets: his favorite Russian poet is Vladimir Mayakovsky, the unofficial poet laureate of the Russian Revolution. He is currently working on his latest book of poetry, "Godzilla Beneath The Lamppost," a compilation of 150 poems he has been working on for the twenty-five years. Besides all the literature stuff, he loves sports and, of course, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pirates and Penguins. His favorite pastimes, when he has the time, are shooting pool and playing poker.