Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising that tempt you to believe your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to an end requires some of the same courage that a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men and women to win them.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists…it is real…it is possible…it’s yours.
- Ayn Rand, Atlas Shrugged
I have retired from a career as an engineer since these poems were written. It was a career where I found deep and meaningful satisfaction throughout. I now spend most of my time with family members and friends. With more free time perhaps there will be additional writings or other volumes; or perhaps not.
Bringing these writings to this form has been a joy, and something that I have wanted to do since I retired. They cover the gamut of subjects as any writings across life experiences naturally would.
The careful reader hopefully will find something of value to them in some of these writings. As for my advice to friends, family members, and other readers it is expressed in the many quotes found throughout this volume, as well as the individual poems. I especially point you to the two quotes in this section – one by Ralph Waldo Emerson and one by Ayn Rand. Based on my life experience I believe they have special meaning. I offer them to all, but particularly those that are young as they begin their life journey.