This first collection of 112 passionate, raw, thought-provoking poems is just a small selection from the library that the brilliant, brutally honest and prolific poet James Barrett Rodehaver has written in his lifetime. His words illustrate absolute fearlessness in self-discovery, his journey to find faith, and his relentless championing of hope for a better country and world. His poems span a wide chronology of growth and self-evolution, of despair and victory, of his hatred for injustice and his love of artists and poets. As a member of the LGBT community, he makes sure his readers know where he stands on equality and love. As a disabled man with a rare progressive bone disease, he uniquely understands the pain we all go through on our journey, and that poetry is how all of us can turn pain into triumph. He chronicles his sufferings, his hopeful outlook, and his questions to God about why he is the way he is, with poetry that renders the soul bare. He is a survivor of not only a disability and near-death, but of family crisis and the foster care system. Yet despite all of this, his world view, though bitter at times, still remains that of a dreamer. He presents to us many faces, and yet, all of them are one: the revolutionary, the fighter, the witty and hilarious dirty-minded poet, and the sensual lover. His poetry shows us his true soul, and this impressive collection of his lets us in on a man of kindness, integrity and conscience. It is as much yours as it is his, and he has put his full heart and soul into every page. Read it, share it, cherish it, and know that you, as well, are strangely wonderful!
About the Author: James Barrett Rodehaver, also known by his popular nickname, "Bear," is a 30 year old poet living in Dallas, Texas. An Alabama native, and lifelong poet, Bear is a prolific, engaging, eye-opening writer whose verses show levels of bravery, humor and depth that are far beyond his years. Born on life support, and going through three months in a coma as a baby, he rose like a phoenix in spite of doctor's claims. Enduring an incredible life of adversity, he has gone through many trials, such as growing up in a broken family, two foster homes, seven surgeries, (including open heart, ) a divorce, coming out as bisexual, and dealing with his disability every day. He is supposed to be dead many times over. Bear has a very rare bone disease which gets progressively worse as he ages, and causes a number of debilitating symptoms, including complete hypothyroidism. Because of this, he looks and sounds years younger than he is, and must take external hormones; the paradox being that the bone disease makes him feel like an old man. He also suffers from mild right hand nerve damage. Because of his condition he has used canes, wheelchairs, and walkers at different times in his life. Nowadays, he walks with a cane most of the time. His passion and perseverance is a testament to his willpower, and courage. He has written poetry since he was seven years old, and it is his life. Now a full-grown man, and a fully developed poet, he spends his time reading, writing poetry a lot, collecting books, watching his favorite shows on TV, as well as going to the movies and the theatre. He also enjoys hanging with his friends, singing karaoke, going to open mics in dallas, and (very) amateur photography. He loves many foods, but none more than seafood, as his mother's side of the family hails from Louisiana. He will try any food at least once. He loves great music, and has very eclectic music tastes, but none more than good ol' rock n' roll. Bear is a rocker at heart, loving classic rock, alternative rock, and any other good modern rock. He has lead an amazing and poetic life, and continues to share his legacy of love with his words.