Ode To A Protruding Gap Filler: A Multi-Themed Poetry Collection

By Donald Ray

This book is a multi-themed poetry collection that I have composed over many years. The themes are: Romantic, Christian Faith, Christmas, Space and Science Fiction, and Miscellaneous. The poem that is the title of this collection. "Ode to a Protruding Gap Filler", honors the brave crews of all the Space Shuttle missions and disparages small-minded politicians and others whose views and actions have led to, in my opinion, the abandonment of the dream of humanity in Space. The other poems are just fun. Since, first and foremost, I am a Christian, my relationship with My Lord, Jesus Christ, informs all my work. In my faith themed poems, you will read how Jesus strengthened me and can help other believers during difficult times. In my Christmas themed poems, you will read that Jesus is the "real reason for the Season".
I liken myself to be the "Poet Laureate of Walmart" where I have worked for many years as a cashier. One of the poems in the Miscellaneous category in this book, "What's My Line?" is derived from my cashiering experiences.
The poems in this collection have structure to them (no free verse for this poet!): rhyming couplets, acrostic poems, and a haiku. I enjoy challenging myself to write structured poems. This also demonstrates a philosophy of mine that one's emotions should be mediated by one's reason and intellect.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Donald Ray
• Release date: Jul 31, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311933317

Donald Ray

Hi, my name is Donald Desch. "Donald Ray" is my pen name since "Desch" is so difficult to spell correctly in a search.What do you want to know about me? I was born in Topeka, Kansas, the youngest of three kids. I have one brother and one sister.I am currently living in Hurst, Texas, a "Mid-Cities" suburb of Fort Worth.I am the divorced dad of two daughters: Haley, who married a wonderful young man, Tony, about 18 months ago (01/05/2012) and Emily who is a Senior in high school.First and foremost, I am a Christian. My relationship with my Lord, Jesus, informs all of my writing. However, I am not stodgy: I like to joke around, laugh, and have fun!I have worked as a chemical enginner in Miami, Florida and Houston, Texas. Presently, I am a cashier at Walmart where I have worked for many years.As for my poetry, I enjoy challenging myself by writing poetry with structure: rhyming couplets, acrostic poems and haikus. In this way, I express a philosophy of mine that your emotions should be mediated by your reason and intellect.I am a voracious reader. I enjoy "hard" science fiction, urban supernatural books like the ones from Jim Butcher and Charlaine Harris, and Stephen KingMy favorite TV shows? I have been a Star Trek fan since the Original Series and I have enjoyed Trek's various TV incarnations to different degrees. More recent fave shows are: LOST, Fringe, and Revolution.My favorite movies are, of course, science fiction: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Blade Runner, Dune, and all the Star Trek movies (except V!) and the recent J.J. Abrams reboots of the franchise.Hey! Isn't this enough for you! Buy my books already!Seriously, please buy my books. I hope you enjoy them and will write glowing reviews for them at your ebook retailer.

Book preview

ODE TO A PROTRUDING GAP FILLER

A Multi-Themed Poetry Collection

By

Donald Ray

Copyright 2014 Donald Ray

Smashwords Edition

Cover Design by Laura Shinn Designs

Smashwords Edition

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