Jim Boone

Jim Boone Poems

Jim Boone Biography

US Poet Laureate Nominee 2012 - PROOF OF LIFE POET; POINT OF VIEW POETRY, i.e., GAY: Free verse style that has a rhythm, but not a fixed meter. There is something here for all of God's children, and equality is not just for someone who happens to be hetrosexual. 'I Am that I Am.' I was born with the 'writers soul, ' but that never came out in my English classes in any of the schools I attended. I did, however, write everything down and eventually gave myself permission to call my writings 'poetry.' It was not easy being born a homosexual boy-child in the late 1930s, growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, but that's how this life of mine has played out as I navigated the path I was given at birth. Interestingly enough, my two years in the US Army were the two best years of my life. For the first time I had total male acceptance while serving my country and you'll have to read my poems for any more information on that chapter of my life. Yes, this is a poetic autobiography of the life of this Poet and of many a male, like me in the 'Doo-Dah Days' of the 'Sexual Revolution.' Dance with me. My first book of poetry is titled 'Somebody Say Amen! ' and can still be found on Amazon occasionally. In 1993, I began 'The Texas Poetry Project' and began doing public readings for the first time. In 1997, I was invited to participate in the 'Art Now' demonstration for Nat'l Endowment for the Arts increased funding by Congress and the Senate: The politicians who control this. In 2001, I was named a 'Distinguished Poet of Dallas' along with other local poets. In 2011 I received notice that I was being nominated for the title of 'US Poet Laureate' for 2012. 'It's like the lottery, you have to be in it to win it'. The Nomination is everything, especially to an openly Gay Poet 'whose poetry also speaks to other observations of life which all people can relate to'. Many, many thanks to Jake Sitters for that nomination. I love living on Galveston Island off the coast of my native Texas. NOTICE FROM JIM BOONE: When you go to read my poetry, check the box to the left of the poem title. Then click on 'Preview'. Do not (please) click on " Listen To This Poem" . It's computer generated and is as irritating as any other robot. TYVM)

The Best Poem Of Jim Boone

Character Traits

We march to our own ‘drummer’
And we are known as ‘Characters’
We’re unique and proud of it
Poets and know it
Mold breakers with a smile
Little and cute, big and bold
Nelly as pink ink
Got balls and a lot of game
Talent? We got plenty
Gumption is our middle name
We have no intention to ‘fold’
Got a tune in our hearts
A notion in our brains
Always armed with a come-back
When we’re down, don’t try to count
Us out because we’re gettin up
If we like you, you got a friend
Right up to the rough, touch and
Joyful, gotta shout, memorable end

We’ll embarrass you sometimes
And entertain you always
Pay attention to what we say
Because there’s meaning in each word
Redemption and l0ve in our greeting
Amnesty in a look and an eyebrow raise.

An Island without its ‘Characters’
Is like a calendar without its days
The dark of night without a sunrise
A life without its ‘bling’.

2011

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