Laurie Winkelmann

I've always written poetry. It's just how I express me. I can't not. It's a whisper when I can't stand. I don't think, it just erupts out of me and I have to let it or I lose it - I can never work at it. It's like a friend's hand on my shoulder and I have to listen. It's a movement that's so subtle to affect, it may in fact be missed if you dismiss it with, "what, POETRY?"

There is so much emotion behind each poem I write, it feels like a chapter; or even a sitcom -  with a situation, conflict and resolution in 30 minutes. I've never wanted to be anything other than a writer. Out of all of my losses in life, none have bothered me more than losing all of my documented dates on calendars and memorabilia, recording my daughter's tiniest movement, and my desk drawers full of poetry and writings. What remains is what I come to the table with now, to present slowly, & finally end with a link to my book collection of about 65 poems, called - I Feel Color. It's actually my life story condensed thru poetry, with transitional pages to account for chronology and meaning. I managed to somehow salvage a few poems from the 70's and 80's, but most have been written within the last 5 years. 

When I'm ready, I will gladly reference the website so you can see these excerpts in their correct context - coming out of the dark & into the light. Until then, I guess this will be a buffet, of sorts. To compliment my written work, I'm also working on showcasing my photos - another passion. Whether in words or pictures, I see life in moments...moments that can never be as precious as they are right then. That's the art of writing & photography to me - expressing that unique point in time that instinctively pulls at my soul, innocently pleading to be captured, as there won't be another. If I ignore that inner prompting, in the wink of an eye...that coloured moment slips thru my fingers and then haunts me with continual regret. 

As someone said, "No one chooses to be a poet, it chooses us."