Shiny Penny in a Muddy Puddle

By Andrew G Sprague

Throughout history, poetry has always been an outlet for emotions. My poetry is not an exception to this idea. Many times, my inspiration to write was brought on by life’s trials and disappointments. Many of those disappointments are relatable to just about anyone, so I decided to put together a collection of my poetry to share with others. Not all of my poetry is sad or dark. Occasionally there is a bright sunbeam that enters into my life that moves me to write down some of my thoughts or feelings. Other times, my poems are an attempt to capture a specific moment, whether that be inspired by travel or just some introspection at home while enjoying a glass of wine in the evening. Photography has always captured my interest. Particularly images that capture a mood or moment in time. I am not a photographer that cares about portraits or special events. Photography to me needs to be about exploration and must evoke an emotional response. Because of this desire to capture emotion visually, I thought that it was appropriate to pair some of my photos with my poems. I hope that both the images and the words can bring some shared emotional resonance to my work. In today’s world, I think that we can all appreciate the metaphor of a shiny penny in a muddy puddle. Life is difficult and many times you feel surrounded by less-than-ideal situations or individuals. Just remember that even when life is less than you may have dreamed, you are still that shiny penny.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Austin Macauley Publishers
• Release date: Apr 30, 2021
• ISBN: 9781645758662

Andrew G Sprague

Although having been born, raised, educated, and worked for his whole life north of Boston, Massachusetts, it is Andrew’s explorations in the world of places—both near and very, very, far away—that has had the biggest influence on his way of thinking and seeing. Formally trained as a biologist and still passionately working in that industry, he has always tried to make time for creative endeavors. Whether that endeavor is drawing, writing, or photography, creativity has always been key to keeping a smile on his face, and some sense of order in the overly crowded, constantly busy place he calls his “head”. He graduated from Reading Memorial High School, Reading, MA, in 1989 as a “class artist” and University of Massachusetts in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences. Over 25 years working in the cutting edge of the biotech industry has not slowed down his creative pursuits, and finally, now, his desire to share some of his poetry with the world. Shiny Penny in a Muddy Puddle is his first book of poetry but represents a long history of putting pen to paper (or hands to laptop) to assess and address life, love, adventures, and misadventures. These are things that everyone deals with every day, and he hopes that some part of what lies ahead in these pages resonates with those reading them.

Book preview

Shiny Penny in a Muddy Puddle

Andrew G Sprague

Austin Macauley Publishers

Shiny Penny in a Muddy Puddle

About the Author

Dedication

Copyright Information ©

Acknowledgment

Author’s Note

Shiny Penny

Lost

Sit and Reflect

At the Sudden Death… (Brussels, Belgium)

Life in Rear View

Just a Breeze

Moons of Jupiter

Park Bench

Angel on the Pillow

Too Many Reasons

Lease on the Moon

New York Morning (Mortality)

Four Tokens, Some Drinks

Rescue

Washington Chance (Washington, DC)

Any Other Night

Whisper (Introspection)

Taste (Gym)

First Kiss

Wanting to Sleep (Hangover)

Laughing at the Thought

Thinking Dreams

Cookie

Closure

Simple Man

Monster Sometimes

Acceptance

Lunch at the Library

Today My Soul Is Light

Beer at Bukowski’s (Bukowski’s Tavern in Boston, MA)

Well Past the Days

Rain Tap Tapping

Back Deck Coffee

Ready to Go (Porto, Portugal)

Dog Walking Thoughts

Dreaming in the Dimming Light

Drifting with the Tides

Not Typical and Tame

Thunderstorm Jog

Can You Hear the Ocean?

Waves Washing Sandals

Tiny Belgian Bed

Travel Sweetness

Cambridge Drive (Cat Lady)

(Belize)

Polaroids in My Mind

The Monster Behind the Door

Walking Out of the Gray

Towards the Future… Thanks for Reading

About the Author

Although having been born, raised, educated, and worked for his whole life north of Boston, Massachusetts, it is Andrew’s explorations in the world of places—both near and very, very, far away—that has had the biggest influence on his way of thinking and seeing. Formally trained as a biologist and still passionately working in that industry, he has always tried to make time for creative endeavors. Whether that endeavor is drawing, writing, or photography, creativity has always been key to keeping a smile on his face, and some sense of order in the overly crowded, constantly busy place he calls his head.

He graduated from