Every story has a beginning, and an end.  The same can be said for my collection of poetry.  Last December, I found myself searching for a way to end the collection.  My writing philosophy centers around the idea of letting ideas develop themselves.  It can be frustrating at times, but every time I try to push an idea forward it doesn’t feel right.  This process has led me to develop the mantra: It’s not about you; it never was.  I like to think of myself as an idea generator.  Once I’ve generated an idea, I try to separate myself from it as much as possible.  From that moment on, the idea becomes its own entity.  I then go back to the familiar role of reporting.  In that way, I try to stay as true to the idea as my ego will allow.  Of course, sometimes its easier said than done and at times can bring the writing process to an abrupt halt.  That is exactly where I found myself last December.

        As it turned out, I found the cure at an Atlas Genius concert in Portland’s Crystal Ballroom.  I don’t know if it was the music, the beer, the “floating” dance floor, or something else entirely, but I do know that I found what I was looking for.  That dark December night, I found the inspiration for the poem “The Convergence.”  Not long afterward, I wrapped up the entire collection with the last two poems.  Little did I know at the time, the idea was merely a seed that would continue to sprout in my subconsciousness.  Eventually, that seed grew into the climactic scene of “A New Beginning…”  Truth be told, the idea and theme behind “The Convergence” is what the entire collection of poetry and “A New Beginning…” are about.

        I would explain further, but I can’t give everything away….  For now enjoy the music video for “Trojans,” which was the song performed by Atlas Genius when I first became aware of the presence of the seed in my consciousness.  If you like, you may also contemplate how it was that I stood alone in a sea of people as “The Convergence” overtook me.