Many members of myfamily were good storytellers; however, that art form may not carry over to writing poetry.  About half a century ago, I took a creative writing class in high school that covered poetry, which   I found to have too many rules.  After taking that class, I seldom wrote poems. As a civil servant for 27 years, I mastered writing top-notch bureaucratic memos that required careful wordsmithing.

 Diagnosed as having Parkinson’s disease in 2007, I had to change my expectations of retirement and hobbies. During my retirement years, I have enjoyed taking a life writing class and a class reading and discussing short stories by Dorothy Parker, Edna Ferber, and Kate Chopin.  I heard about this poetry site and was blown away with the quality   of the poems posted and the international make-up of the poets contributing to the site and Open Mic Night. Having deep roots in the rural South of the United States, I hope to bring my unique thoughts to the group. I appreciatedthe Director’s patience with new members and words of encouragement by the poets. 

I now refer to writing poetry as a hobby, churning out about one poem a month.