I wrote this poem after thinking about what things in this world were most important to me and what I wanted to tell my 3 nieces and 1 nephew were most important to me in this life.

It’s a poem about hope and vision of a future where people are judged, as Martin Luther King Jr. Said "Not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." So it was inspired by the "I have a Dream" speech, but also by John Lennon's song "Imagine."

This book will be a complete Illustrated book for Children, due out in June of the year 2000.

About 10 years ago I participated in the local "Adopt a Grandparent Day" down at a local Old Folks home. And this is the story of Rose, my adopted grandparent and what her eyes seemed to be saying to the world.

Though Rose has since passed away I think she would be proud to know what a great inspiration knowing her had on my career as a full time writer of Poetry & Prose.

A whimsical poem from the upcoming book, "The Prince of Nonsense" due out next year, this poem is in the tradition of "Peter Piper Picked A Pepper. " It plays around with the "P" sound & is a fun tongue twister for kids of all ages. In the tradition of Dr. Seuss & my recently departed idol Mr. Shell Silverstein.

This poem was written just after the death of a very dear friend and fellow writer. It's one of those feelings where you know you did a lot and you cared, but you feel you could have done more in retrospect. Scattered thoughts that go through your mind when you loose someone near and dear to you. It was my way of venting all of those varied emotions onto paper.

This poem is a poem about that special person that comes along so rarely. The person you call a soulmate to which you have a connection that words fail to explain. An immediate mutual bond.

I wrote this to my Best Friend and kindred spirit, Maria. as a gift for her birthday because I have always preferred writing my own words from my heart to buying a card at a store.

This poem is just a whimsical look @ Computer Mice. Nonsensical and fun, a spontaneous reaction to something my niece said. "Uncle Todd, If you have a computer Mouse shouldn't you get a mouse trap?"

LOL Children are often the best inspiration for me. This particular poem will be included in a book of Children's poetry of mine due out next year entitled: "The Prince of Nonsense. "

As a Children's Author I related to my own childhood when writing this poem. It is basically a kid who is fantasizing about being an only child. The humor comes from my own experiences at the age of seven.

This is a poem about a summer romance that I shall never forget or regret. Her name was Isabelle & the year was 1984. (We were 16) I have often thought of her through the years and have wanted to capture that experience on paper for some time now.

She was a Foreign exchange student that came from Barcelona to stay with a neighbor's family. We vowed to stay in touch and did not, but such is young love and adolescent passions. I chose to depict this in a raw and uncensored fashion just to be true to my memory of Isabelle.

I wrote this poem after repeatedly hearing people say things like . . .

"Poets don't get famous until they die, ya know." and "No one will appreciate your gift until you kick the bucket my friend!"

Often I have thought, Who needs glory? I'd prefer just to be heard and to touch people on that innermost level. So, listen to me while I am alive World. Don't wait until I am a member of The Dead Poet’s Society.

This poem is about falling out of love and the inevitable pain that goes along with it.

Being young and risking it all, putting it all on the line, only to learn with the passage of years, that despite our best efforts sometimes, we drift apart and upon separation the one we loved and thought we knew so well seems more like a stranger than an actual stranger. It's the irony of Love.