Reflections with Emotion

A book of poetry and short stories, evoking one's emotions of tears, laughter, and remembrance.

REFLECTION WITH EMOTION is a compilation of poems and short stories written for special events, celebrations, or just for fun. Occasionally, a friend would ask me to write a short story or a poem in remembrance of a loved one or to honor the service and sacrifice a family member or friend made while serving our country. Some of the poems and short stories were written based on news articles in the local newspaper or from an event seen on television. My turbulent childhood provided me with the inspiration for many of the poems, as did my everyday experiences.

My family and I moved from Oroville, California, to Pace, Florida, in 2001. I retired from the military after serving for 22 years. This book of poetry was inspired by my daily life and is often a reflection of the emotions I experienced. I have a treasure trove of experiences to reference, starting with my turbulent childhood to my military career. When I lived in Oroville, California, I prospected for gold in the south-fork of the Feather River, explored old abandoned gold mines, and hiked through the Desert State Park in southern California. Most of the poems are more than imagination-induced words arranged in some special order. My life's experiences inspired many of them.