Introduction [excerpts] For me, pleasure of poetry has always been in the connection and placement of words next to each other--of trying to create something to sound the way I want it to feel. It's a challenge and so rarely does it happen that I find the end result satisfying. But, still I continue to write. With these poems, I have carefully curated the following pages as passage through my experiences I hope to act as artifacts in time. I have worked hard to learn my craft well and dispense it thoughtfully....

Introduction [excerpt] My manuscript is a compilation of short stories that explore the intricacies and emotional dealings of relationships. Each story focuses on a specific individual's growth over a short period of time as he or she battles the heartbreak and disappointment that inevitably mark human nature. Relationships between parent and child, husband and wife, or two friends are essential bonds used for communicating change among characters. I have placed each character in a specific situation that...