Firecracker

<p>There is no connection between being ninety-three years old and being ancient or timeless. The poems in this collection are contemporary-real sincere and thought-provoking. Strauss explores the many degrees of love-from young to old from family to valued friends-in provocative and compassionate verse. Neither is love his only topic. He offers poetic viewpoints on poverty disability and war; he recalls traveling the long trail of parenthood from newly born child through to adulthood. The obstacles and joys in life that might be faced by age ninety-three bear examination in <i>Firecracker: Poems at 93</i>. </p><p>Fire Cracker<br><br><br>There are many things I'd like to be<br>There are many lives I'd like to live<br>Above all I'd like to feel free<br>To live and love to forgive<br>A state of mind haunts my soul<br>One unusual wish torments my mind<br>To build my energy so it can explode<br>I wish I were a firecracker of some kind<br>I'd light the sky with flames of love<br>I'd burn away the troubles of the world<br>People could look down around and above<br>To know sunshine clouds see stars unfurl<br>I'd arouse curiosity in children<br>I'd teach them what controlled energy can do<br>I'd teach them how music can enfold them<br>I'd teach them to understand things old and new<br>I'd like to be a firecracker and make my mark in time<br>With a loving companion as a backer <br>I'd explode with love in a life sublime<br>Though you may not see love I'll know<br>As a firecracker I could make it so.<br></p>