The Boy in the Orchard

Although I seldom write about my own experiences often I have met people nearby as well as in far-away places whose experiences parallel my own. The first writing in this book is a poem a composition from an ensemble of feelings I have experienced and gathered into words which reflect the effect of my having been touched or troubled by the relationships in the planned or chance flow of lives.I have made an effort to make clear enough the symbolism which I use throughout the poem as well as in some of the other writings here. During my travels I have met many people; some interesting others facinating. Everyone has a story. Indeed some have many. Occasionally actually often I meet one who wants to tell his or her story. It seems that I attract the sort who seem to be compelled to share some part of their life experiences with me. In this book I have included only a few of the stories I have heard or have been a witness thereto. I enjoy picking through stories I hear and pulling out details which I find interesting then I make an attempt at enhancing real experiences to the point where they almost become fiction.Robert Bertrand