Don Edwards grew up in rural southern USA. There, among few distractions, he learned that life can be lived and that love may be found, but both are ultimately taken by the "chronic Tick-Tock" of time. Based on this, he has been trying to clarify his purpose with the help of poetry. Scars and Stories is his first collection and, within its pages, he tackles love and death, since these are all that really matter. His poems show us that love can elevate us above the gravity of everyday life. At the same time, we are reminded that, despite our sense of decision-making power, we live with a mere illusion of control. Of course, ultimately death wins all battles. The clock is constantly ticking but we can offer and accept love and, in doing so, not fear the darkness or the final day.