Shoe Strings and Collar Buttons: Poetry for Young Readers and Adults

This is a book of poetry and paintings by the author. They tell stories and observations of nature and paint pictures of a life well spent. Art and poetry are often perceived as transient, yet they contain an eternal quality. Have you ever looked outside your window and really stopped to observe the little details? Have you looked closely and seen noisy birds bathing in the birdbath or a chipmunk scurrying across your patio? Do you see the way the wind blows the multicolored leaves in Fall? How do you see? Each poem is a story about an experience with nature or another life. Each painting represents a feeling. The title ＂Shoestrings and Collar Buttons＂ was taken from the words called out to my grandfather, the son of a dry goods salesman. The boys at school would chase this high school track star home. He was part of a large midwestern family who eventually started Schuham Hardware which still exists today. As you read the poems aloud, listen to the rhythms. I hope the experiences and the images come alive for you, so that you can write some of your own feelings and observations to share.