Author's Statement

I often write about the themes of aging, art (especially music), feminism, and life philosophy—all from the voice of an outspoken octogenarian who was one of the first women to graduate from my law school in 1974.  My poetry seeks to blend the lyrical formalism of Emily Dickinson along with the more modern approach of Marianne Moore, two of my favorite poets. An activist from early adulthood to the present, I have many respected poetic and political ancestors, especially among the Suffragists who believe as I do and Benjamin Franklin said: “well done is better than well said."

 

There is a dearth in the publishing world of work by seniors, and my first chapbook, as well as much of my poetry, aims to close this gap. In process now is my first book of poetry, Impudent Truths, that will carry through the theme of how to dismantle prejudice against seniors and in particular, women.

 

While just a few years into my poetry adventure, I love to read my poems (in any flavor from humorous to my “rage” poems), and am available in the Bay Area. I’m a member of several online poetry communities and have enjoyed classes offered at Lighthouse, Writers.com, Authors Publish, Olli continuing education at San Francisco State University, and OLLI continuing education at the University of Vermont.

 

I understand the importance of collaborative work between poets and publishers. In that endeavor, I prefer to be a productive partner during the publishing and marketing processes. I am able to call upon these poetic inspirations: my formal training in calligraphy and graphics, fine art drawing and portraiture, dance, and classical piano studies. I look forward to hearing from others who share my feminist and humanist values and especially love the Romantic period of all the arts.