Come West: Secular and Sacred Poems

When the author of this chapbook of poetry moved from Florida to central Utah in 2011, he had no idea how much he would be changed by the culture and the religion of the Latter Day Saints, a culture and faith that continues to affect him deeply. This experience led to a lot of measured prayer and pondering, and the result was, among other things, his family in Utah, his new-found relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus, and this small book of poems addressed to friends and family left behind in >The imagery of the West abounds in this slim volume, and sand and blasts of grit and heat and cold all have a part to play in this chiaroscuro dance of light and shadow. We see the divine in the landscape of the high plains and the rocky ranges, and the majestic snow-mantled mountains that scrape the azure horizons all around. Surely, this country depicted is Zion, is God's Country, and it is also Mormon Country. The relaxed and cheerful attitude of the people of this fine state of Utah resonate in an echo chamber of positive feelings here. Happiness is the golden standard here, a gentle and respectful regard for the freedom of will and self-determination of all God's children.

Pages: 41, Paperback, Independently published