About The Author   of Under The Poem Tree  Ron Purtlebaugh       A resident of Anastasia Island, the north-eastern Florida coastline  finds me a frequent visitor, where I draw much of my inspiration and rejuvenation from, whether it be the pounding of the surf, a crawling morning fog, a spectacular sunrise, or the varied and ever present wildlife nearby. A frequenter of art galleries and  book stores, reading and writing poetry are my first loves, and have been for over thirty-five years, followed closely by motorcycle riding, beach combing and stargazing. Afforded the opportunity to write full time,  I accept my ability to write whatever that may be, as a gift, and in that same spirit I put it to print. I treat my writing as a job every day, through blocks, dry spells, good times and bad, but writing nevertheless.  I am under contract for a children's book of "prosetry" titled, "Life on McFiddledy Lane", and am currently  working on three book length manuscripts, two of which are nearly complete. "Under The Poem Tree", a book of poetry and prosetry urging kids and grown-ups alike to read, with an eye on world peace, the furtherance of education, and going after your dreams,  is my passion.  Many pieces of it will be found in the "Poem Tree Leaves" section.  "St.Augustine" is a recently begun collection describing my hometown, wherein my heart lies, for it's beauty, history and constant inspiration.  "Meanderings", my thoughts about everything, "Nature", and "Love & Beauty" are, I think, self-explanatory.  Hopefully, you will find humor interlaced with a depth both stimulating and interesting, in my favorite modes of traditional rhyme, half rhyme and me.  I also write free-lance articles, web integrated technical copy, and market sensitive and target specific poetry on demand. I am a father of five, twice grandfather living in a bi-lingual household which is a new challenge and inspiration. To say I came of age, turned fifteen, right smack in the the middle of the sixties in 1965, lived on everything but food and strove to know every word Bob Dylan and Paul Simon wrote, will give many of you an idea of who I am and consequently, where my poetry comes from. But right then is when I met Robert Frost in verse, and he changed my life. I only wish I would have realized it at the time. My poetry comes from the curb, the campfire of Peoples Park in Bloomington Indiana to the coastline of Florida, via the beautiful mountains of Colorado. But most of all it comes from my heart. And here, I tear a piece of it off to share with you. As those responsible for my writing, in many ways, I credit my brother Curt, David and Cynthia Mahigian, King Solomon, Robert Frost, Bob Dylan, all the Poets and poets, and last but certainly not least, Paul Simon. Poetry, in my mind, is never a singular affair, and cannot be fulfilled until it is opened, until it is read, and in that spirit, as a gift I feel I have received, I here give to you, and hope with all my heart you find some small part to enjoy.                                          Sincerely,                                              Ron Purtlebaugh                                                 November 5, 2001          Home GOD BLESS AMERICA  ST.AUGUSTINE NATURE  LOVE & BEAUTY  MEANDERINGSMEANDERINGS TOO POEM TREE LEAVESNONSENSE & HUMORWANDERINGWORDS COMMENTS & LINKSBRANCHES AND TWIGS  INDEXTABLE OF CONTENTS      These are my poems, you can use or reprint them only with easily granted permission ©copyright 2001 by Ron Purtlebaugh all rights reserved UNDER THE POEM TREE©  IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF I02NODESIGNS ron@underthepoemtree.com