I came across a tattered little book that I wrote in as a child.

I remember Mother giving it to me when we lived on River Lane Court in Brooklyn Park, MN. I probably was about 9 years old. I immediately wrote in two quotes that I liked at the time:

“A boy throws a stone at a frog in play; yet the frog dies in earnest.”

“Once in a century a man may be ruined or made insufferable by praise. But surely once in a minute something generous dies for want of it.”

Pretty heady quotes for a punk kid to record. I wish I would have noted the source, but I think I got them out of Readers Digest.

Farther back in the book are a couple of quick samples of my poetry from my high school days. You will all soon understand why I am not the Poet Laureate of Oregon.

“Crayons to draw your mind.

Afraid to go out of my lines

Stay on your tower and in your lines.

I’m sorry.

I thought you understood

When you saw Paris burn.

That it is no use

My crayons melt.

When you remember me

Light a candle and cry.”

and

“When times

Come that you need

Someone to depend on

I wish you only the best of luck

My love.”

Now the book is garbage!