When I wrote Lucid Realms, I wanted to blur the lines between reality and dreams, crafting poetry that echoes poets' methods from over a hundred years ago. Inspired by surrealism, I tapped into "psychic automatism" to capture the raw essence of thought free from the constraints of logic and societal norms. Through this collection, I share the lives of individuals I encountered while overseeing probation or parole cases and guiding soldiers as a unit leader.
These poems tell the stories of people on the fringes of society grappling with addiction, homelessness, and financial struggles. They paint vivid pictures of individuals facing immense challenges, all framed through a surrealistic lens that weaves their emotions into dreamlike sequences, protecting their identities while revealing their truths.
This work spans more than two decades of my personal and professional journey, highlighting the struggles of the people I guided and the unwavering determination of law enforcement and military personnel who persist, often without fair compensation or societal recognition. Using the tool of "automatism," I created a journalistic record of their emotions during their toughest moments dealing with addiction, debt, and survival in a world brimming with abundance yet shaped by media-fueled ideals.
I advocate for governmental and private solutions in Lucid Realms that uplift these marginalized individuals. I stress the importance of strong local manufacturing, which provides fair wages and creates opportunities for families to thrive, communities to flourish, and our nation to grow stronger.