Reflections from A Twisted Mind

Introduction

The title of this book comes from comments made by friends of the author in response to reading his early writings, which were often a jumble of words, thoughts, and feelings. It was also influenced by reactions to one of the author's drawings similar to an illustration in the book. Both comments were identical: "You have a twisted mind." These writings were assembled in a random sequence similar to how they were written or rewritten, not reflective of the dates they were written, adding to the "twisted mind" idea. The poems are about growing up, history, love, change, friendship, life, and loss.

Connections to the Author's Work

There are works that are tied to programs prepared by the author while working for the National Park Service. Some of the poems were written about events that occurred during the author's time in the service, while others were about friends and friendship.

Evolution of the Poems

The author believes that as his views and life change, his writing should reflect those changes. Many of these poems reflect those changes with the dates they were changed. This author knows that often the change of a single word can change the tone, texture, color, and emotion a piece generates. Often the changes were one word; with others, it was a line, and some have had multiple changes.

Artwork and Creative Process

The author is also the creator of the illustrations accompanying the poems. His work is rough, sketchy, and somewhat amateurish. This is a reflection of his creative process and his attempt to expand his creative fields. As his writings started rough and unpolished, so was the artwork linked with it.

Invitation

You are invited to take a stroll through the labyrinth of the author's mind across an expanse of space and time.