RAY WHITAKER “Ray has been writing both prose and poetry since he was seventeen. He has three books published from NEWNESS TWONESS BOOKS: “ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Poems From The ‘Nam,” a two volume set [2019, 2nd Editions available on Amazon]; and “23, 18,” [2020, 2nd Edition, available on Amazon, and “For The Lost and Loved.” [2021, available on Amazon]. A chapbook, THE SCUPPERNONG WORKS” was published last fall, also by Newness Twoness. His fifth poetry book now at publishers for consideration, THE TAVERN ON OLD LOG CABIN ROAD. He is working on another chapbook and full legnth poetry book. Ray has done readings around the state of North Carolina, now in Colorado as well, and has been a member of both the North Carolina Poetry Society, and The North Carolina Writer’s Network. He has thrice been a ‘Writer-in-Residence” at the North Carolina Center For The Arts and Humanities at Weymouth, in Southern Pines, NC. He is the father of two daughters, and lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Active in the poetry scene in Colorado, and is available for readings state-wide. Ray, an American poet, has participated in the International Poetry scene as well, published by literary journals in Bali, India, Belgium, Pakistan, United Kingdom, Greece, Ireland, and the United States.”
QUIETUDE [sonnet two] Not like there was silence anyway I heard my Mother’s compassionate voice insisting that the only option was listening to an aged wisdom her coaching about being nearly seventy. Not like there wern’t other voices in the recesses, my own too I heard my Father’s voice speaking over a flight line’s roar of air power, taking off and landing on talking about the courage
to face what may come despite what may have occurred. Memories bespoke the bravery having followed a plan of determination of design of a full life contributing and following the course, still, all the while, aging.
© Ray Whitaker 2023 November - December POETRY & WRITING © liveencounters.net
