A La Mode

A La Mode is a collection of 76 poems covering a multitude of lifetime experiences. Most people have experienced some of them. Others are more likely unique. Some are imaginary. Obviously many of the poems express the author's deep feelings including those that are typically not disclosed. One of the shorter poems explains some of them: RAVELED SLEEVEOF CARE I sleepwith my poetry bookunder my pillowready to record fleeting imagesbefore surreal coagulatesinto rational andfantastic fizzlesto flacid. The last third of the book is divided into two sections LDLT (Long Distance Long Term) Relationship Inspired and ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) Inspired. The LDLT Relationship poems cover both love and frustration. The time L is about 14 years and the distance L is about 7000 miles. ALS is commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease and the author was diagnosed with it in 2004. A bit of background information about the disease is included at the beginning of the section. The poems that follow provide an interesting perspective on life and on death.