One Man's Poetic Soul

By Russell B. Peterson

This book of poetry spans the majority of Russell Peterson's lifetime...from his teen years until his untimely and unexpected death at age 47. A devout Catholic, but also a philosopher and man intrigued by other faiths, his poems about spirituality are varied. Russell was a man who cherished his family, and through his poems you come to know the struggles he faced emotionally over his mom's death at age 54. Russell enjoyed nothing more than a walk on a beach at sunset, and the nature lover in him is addressed in a few of his poems as well. 

Russell planned to someday get his poetry published, but as is often the case with early death, his dream was in danger of dying with him. For this reason I have decided, with his wife's approval and support, to compile these poems to share his thoughts with the world. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kirsten Marie Peterson
• Release date: Feb 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393296256

Book preview

Compiled by Kirsten Marie Peterson

Cover Design by kingof_designer

Book trailer by ravinder18

Editing (on content other than poems): Andria Lee Mitchell & Kirsten Marie Peterson

For Russell’s three children,

Kateri, Soren and Demetri,

YOU are his finest achievement.

Dedication

THIS BOOK IS DEDICATED to those in our world living on the margins of society. Russell had a servant’s heart and truly saw all people as equals.

Russell Peterson was a visionary who believed that we are the neighbor of every person that comes across our path and answered the call in February, 2014 that I Am My Brothers’ Keeper. As president of Our Brothers’ Keepers of Southern Illinois (OBK), Russell was laser focused on the least of these who were broken and coming out of our prison system. His mission was to bring a compassionate, merciful, and forgiving voice to our incarcerated brothers and sisters. That mission continues today with the OBK Re-entry Center in East St. Louis, IL where returning citizens are provided with a holistic approach to address their individual needs and reintegration into their family and community.

Louis Slapshak

Our Brother’s Keepers of Southern Illinois

P.O. Box 398

East St. Louis, IL 62202-0398

https://obkministry.org

[e-mail]

Forward

We are drawn to the people who seem to know more about the world that we can see: those people who seem to be able to speak about the mysteries of life with a secret knowing. There is something about these artistic people that intrigues us, bewilders us, and leaves us wanting to know them. We hope in getting to know them that maybe, just maybe, we will also be let into this otherworld they speak of. We want to understand the mystery that seems so very real to them.

Russell was one of these artistic people, these poetic souls. He was a wisdom seeker, a believer that there is more to our world than we can see, and he had the beautiful ability to write of these things. One of my very first memories of him is of him sharing his poetry with me. I remember thinking Wow, there is so much feeling and so much rawness in what he writes. Even then, I knew what a gift of himself he was giving me in sharing this part of his soul.

My greatest hope for everyone who reads this book is that you will get a glimpse into the mystery that was Russell. He so wanted to understand the mysteries of our world and spent a lifetime exploring those by himself and with anyone who wanted to journey along with him This beautiful testament to him, by his sister who he adored, is a magical gift to our world. I am grateful for them both.

If you get a chance to walk barefoot on a beach while you read Russell’s words, I have every confidence you will be able to feel him walking right there alongside you. That ‘s really all he ever wanted- to be with those he loved, on a beach, barefoot, sharing about the mysteries of the world. Enjoy!

To Russell with deep gratitude and love for the poetry you called forth from my soul.

Lara

Wife/Widow of Russell

Preface

Russell B. Peterson’s poems span roughly 30 years of his life and were written from his high school years in Florida to his seminary years in California and Colorado to his married life in Illinois. His content is varied, as a teen boy has different perspectives and priorities than a middle-aged man with a wife and three children. Russell wrote both fiction and non-fiction poetry. Our mother’s journey to an early death at 54 is highlighted in several poems. Our mom was a wonderful lady battling the dreadful disease of alcoholism. As is the case with many writer’s, Russell wrote as a form of therapy. To the best of my knowledge, any poems featuring our mom are true. Russell did not date many of his