Susan Eckenrode

"My poems are my heartsongs."

I was born in Florida the summer of '44 and have lived all over the USA, in Turkey and Japan.
My father and husband both had Air Force careers—which means, in a way, I did too—for 42 years. Travel was a given and I've welcomed every opportunity to pack and go. Although I'm retired now, I have not lost that desire to see the world. I also enjoy drawing, painting and gardening and most of all travel. We are fortunate to have the time and freedom to pursue as the spirit moves.

I had not pursued poetry until October of 2002, when I met my Muse, that I call Heartsong 7 for the first time. To this day, I believe that she was sent to help me through a very rough time. She appeared the night my mother died, as I was rushing home hoping to arrive before Mom was gone. A phone call I made enroute confirmed that she had left us but the last leg of the flight, she was with me offering comfort as she had always done. That long, sleepless night the "Muse" appeared and brought inspiration for my first poem. From then on, there was at least one each day. They were simple, heartfelt and comforting.

What began as an aid through the healing process has become a passion; the "Muse, Heartsong 7" provides the inspiration and I work at learning to perfect the delivery.

Most of my works are rhymed and metered forms and have recently ventured into blank and freeverse. - S. Eckenrode

My favorite poets are:

Dorothy Parker....Favorite poem, "Resume"
Walt Whitman....Love his "On the Beach at Night"
William Blake....."The Smile" is grand
Robert Frost... Have always liked "Once by the Pacific"

All work is ©copyright protected and contributed by the author Susan Eckenrode, 2004.

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