In Gifts From the Crucible, I offer multiple perspectives on the complex topics of love, war, and family This trio of themes might seem like an odd mix at first glance, but with closer examination, they have much in common. In Act II, Scene 7 of As You Like It, William Shakespeare insightfully stated: "All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players: They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts." In this book, the poems, regardless of their focus, aptly fit these observations of Shakespeare. Lovers, family members, and warriors experience transitions during their time on the stage called life; additionally, there is a wide spectrum of perspectives due to the varied personal experiences of the people in each of the three categories.
Family dynamics influence the members of a family in profound ways; for example, families not only find joy in the birth of a new member, but they will also experience grief. Like families, war has a dual nature. For some, war is only about heroic warriors and patriotic slogans, but for the combatants and their families, war wears a much different face. Like the concepts of family and war, love runs a broad spectrum of perspectives, ranging from genuine love to the simplistic and shallow Hollywood version. Fortunately, people have the capacity to evolve and overcome the mistakes in the arena of their love relationships. In Julius Caesar, Act I, Scene 2, Shakespeare, aptly wrote: "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves." Ultimately, the negative aspects, which can occur in each of the three topics can be addressed in a positive manner.
There are opportunities for growth in each of these three areas; however, the journey of growth tends to run through a crucible. Difficult life experiences provide us with opportunities to become better versions of ourselves. The crucible experience, although very unpleasant, can be a blessing because it can help us to evolve into kinder and more compassionate people. In closing, I'd like to share the Prologue from Gifts From The Crucible...
"Perspective"
As we walk down the singular path
into our tomorrows
we stumble and sometimes fall
when doubt and worry weave their way
through our minds.
Before we begin to believe the not-so-comforting chatter
we need to peer straight ahead
and then look back
on the long and arduous path behind us
and smile because we own our road resumé
as true trailblazers
with travellers' tragedies and triumphs
never to be forgotten.
These footprints belong to us.