From Checkered Cloth: A Collection of Poetry 1990 Through the Present
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This current anthology is the product of years of my extensive experience with the written word. The original anthology contained the black-and-white illustrations included in this book. The writings in that book evolved from my brief time as a homeless person after my graduation from Columbia College, Chicago. This book is an extension of my ex
Allen Frank McNair
I, Allen F. McNair am a member of Thresholds, which is a psychosocial rehabilitation organization, as well as a self-taught artist and poet who is inspired daily by the wonders of life around me, my present and past experiences, and both the inner and outer beauty of all women. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree from Columbia College here in Chicago. I am a recent graduate of Wright Colleges Information Processing Technology class, where I studied the application of Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint programs. I recently produced an anthology of poetry entitled From Checkered Cloth which highlights some of my best work to date. I can be heard at Open Mike nights around the city, sharing my poetry. I have performed in an original production based on true stories for the Thresholds Theater Arts Project at the Theater Building. I have also taught classes in creative writing and performance at both the National Alliance for Mentally Ill (NAMI) and at Trilogy. I love watching science fiction, fantasy, and action in movies and reading those genres in literature in my spare time. I live in a studio apartment in Chicago with my 12-year-old long-haired black and white cat, Kit Kat. I am an author and self-taught artist who is inspired daily by the wonders of life around me, my present and past experiences, and both the inner and outer beauty of all women. From individual poetic portrayals in my early years of writing, I have graduated to writing an epic saga mentioned below. I have enjoyed writing since I was six years old, adapting themes from Western dramas and comic books for my own entertainment and for imagined audiences world-wide. In 1990, I seriously began composing short poetry and published these works in Thresholds Musing Place magazine, a publication to which I was a contributing editor. Much of my poetry was primarily based on my temporary experience with homelessness. My proudest achievement is the self-publishing of my book, I Dream of Amaresh, a science fiction epic poem of romance which I wrote and illustrated. I have shown a few of these illustrations in public showings. Some of its artwork were seen in the 27th American Disabilities Act Celebration at the James R. Thompson Center July 17 through July 22, 2017. A few of these works of art were once displayed in the July 2015 ADA Celebration at the same location. Some of them were shown at the Orange Restaurant in Lincoln Park last April 4, 2016. Others were also presented at the Orange Restaurant in Roscoe Village March 10 through May 28, 2015. I have likewise exhibited my artwork at the Gallery Cabaret in August 2106 and again in that same month of 2017. I have performed in an original production based on true stories for the Thresholds Theater Arts Project at the Theater Building. I have also taught classes in creative writing and performance at both the National Alliance for Mentally Ill (NAMI) and at Trilogy. In September of 2011, I was very happy to have secured a job at Marianos Fresh Market on my own initiative and continued to work for the company until I retired October of this year. I am looking forward to further distinguishing myself in the writing and illustrating areas of my life in the years ahead. I love watching science fiction, fantasy, and action in movies and reading those genres in literature in my spare time. I once lived in a one-bedroom apartment in Chicago with my 7-year-old white and ginger cat, Butterscotch until I gave her up to the Treehouse Animal Shelter due to reasons of her poor health. Previously, I had a black and white long-haired cat named Kit Kat, who lived to be 20 years old.
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From Checkered Cloth - Allen Frank McNair
From Checkered Cloth
A Collection of Poetry 1990 Through the Present
Allen Frank McNair
Copyright © 2021 by Allen Frank McNair.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2021900962
HARDBACK: 978-1-954673-93-9
Paperback: 978-1-954673-92-2
eBook: 978-1-954673-94-6
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.
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Printed in the United States of America
Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgements
From Checkered Cloth
From Checkered Cloth—Revisited
Sleeplessness
Sleepy Day Start
. . . In the Shadows
I Color in Moonlight
Queen Bee
Comic Book Fever
More Than Lifeless Numbers Required
Fire and Ice
Scampering, Always Scampering
Slightest Bells Tinkling
Before New Adventure
In Tree Above
Rainbow of the Heart
Earth Day Redux
Sashes to Sashes
Fresh Pancakes
Deep in My Heart, A Little Boy Lives
Between the Human and the Beast
Autumn Leaves
The Open Road
Too Brief a Candle
Hurricane of Love
You Fantastic Mouse!
Your Face in Candlelight
Of Silver Thoughts
The Midwest Farmer
Glass of Life
Hidden Dance
My Two Worlds
Sultry Ice
Gray Memory
Dream of Family Gathering
Poverty Swallows Me Whole
Burned into Memories
Moon Is Love
In the Realm of My Beloved
In God’s Own Hands
Of This, I Relate and I Can’t Wait
The Scarecrow
Boundless Dream
In the Realm of My Beloved--Revised
Butterscotch—Contented Cat
By the Roaring Fire
He’s Long Gone Now
Communication of the Self
The Growth of Hope
Electronic Nirvana
Glory of Creation
Enjoying the Pandora Sound
My Two Worlds--Revised
Compassion Moves a World
To Die in Her Arms
To Dive Deep Within
About the Author
About the Author—Allen F. McNair
Illustrations
From Checkered Cloth Revisited
One World, You Dig?
Face in the Candlelight
Circus Clown
Dressed for Success
Faceless Nude
Queen Bee Comics, Panel 1
Queen Bee Comics, Panel 2
High-rise Beauty
More Than Lifeless Numbers Required
Rachel
Fire and Ice
Shoes and Rocks Basketball
Spanish Rosita
Slightest Bells Tinkling
Star Child
Before New Adventure
A Collection of My Art
In Tree Above
Face of the Botticelli Venus
Beachfront Sunrise
Waterfall Rainbow
Lady by the Beach
Woman Kneeling
By Her Sink
Human Wave II
Autumn Leaves
Blackest Night of Each One’s Horror
The Open Road Painting with Poem
Yet Humble and Wise
Author’s Dream/Peaceful World
Hurricane of Love
Flying Engines Thunder Close
Your Face in Candlelight
Alien Flowers Travel through Space
A New Couple in Love
Her Heart Melts into His
Carpet of Woods and Flowers
By Clear, Cool Pool
At Night Asleep
He Travels South
Mighty Ship from Andran Sky
Systems Now Torn Asunder
Heavenly Rose
To Receive the Urn
Adrift in Space
Boundless Dream
By the Roaring Fire
To Dive Deep Within
Dedication
1.jpgThis current edition of my poetry is dedicated to my wise friend, Darius Loghmanee, who has supported me and offered sage counsel during the many years of our association
Acknowledgements
This current anthology is the product of my years of my extensive experience with the written word. The original anthology contained the black and white illustrations included in this book. The writings in that book evolved from my brief time as a homeless person after my graduation from Columbia College Chicago. This book is an extension of my experience with the counseling services of the Thresholds Dincin Center and with the Bezazian Writers Group, a group originally formed as part of the now-defunct Neighborhood Writing Alliance.
As I have said before in my acknowledgements from my first published book, I Dream of A’maresh, I owe my immense gratitude for the encouragement and tough love shown by my parents, Wilbur and Sylvia McNair, who encouraged my efforts to practice my craft of written communication in creative ways to a wide audience of readers.
Again, I would like to thank my sister, Patty McNair for her enormous support of my various forays into the mysterious realm of writing and her loving advice for my continued efforts in this chosen field.
--to Waseem Rahman who has always good-naturedly challenged me in my editing of his own written work as he has navigated