“In Between The Inspiration”

By E. Gene Givens

“In Between The Inspiration” by E. Gene Givens is a poetry collection that explores a variety of themes, including creativity, love, loss, self-reflection, and social issues. The poems are reflective of the poet’s inner world, revealing the inspirations and thoughts that drive the creative process. “In Between The Inspiration” is a compelling and diverse collection that highlights E. Gene Givens’ talent as a poet. The book offers a rich tapestry of themes and emotions, making it a rewarding read for those who appreciate poetry that challenges, inspires, and resonates on multiple levels. Givens’ ability to navigate a wide range of topics and styles while maintaining a strong, cohesive voice is impressive, and the collection is likely to leave a lasting impression on readers. “In Between The Inspiration” is recommended for poetry lovers, and anyone who enjoys literature that engages with both the personal and the societal. The collection’s depth and variety make it suitable for both casual readers and those looking for a more profound literary experience.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 23, 2025
• ISBN: 9798369441381

E. Gene Givens

E. Gene Givens was born in Broxton, Georgia, raised in Cincinnati’s “West End” and educated in public schools. He entered the U.S. Coast Guard at age 17, where he first began writing poetry. After ten years of service, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard as a Yeoman (Petty Officer 1st Class). He entered college and graduated from Xavier University with a BSBA in Management and a Minor in English Literature in August 1981 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After twenty-three years of military service he retired as Major, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Acquisition).

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Copyright © 2025 by E. Gene Givens.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 03/17/2025

Xlibris

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IN BETWEEN THE INSPIRATION

Poetry

Pollination

We Are . . .

A Poet’s Dream

In Between The Inspiration

Infatuated Smile

Admiration

Haiku #1: Poem XVIII

Haiku #2: Confessions

Haiku #3: Your Love

Haiku #4: Soft Shoe

Favor

Secrets

Measurements

Puppy Love Beginnings

Innocent Love

Unfinished Love Affair

Stolen Moments

Together For Ever

Self Esteem

In My Dreams

Daydream At 30,000 Feet

101 Pearls . . . Give Or Take A Few

Me And My Rhythm

I Can Feel It

Salutations

Love Is . . .

A Good Dentist

A Seasonal Drama

The Joy Of Ugly Feet

A Few Good Men

Slouchy People

The Original Pipe Dream

Les McCann: Live At The Hobbit

Girls Night Out – Just Above The Smoke

Jazzmerized

Polyphonic Rhythms

A Child Waiting

The Orphan: The Color of Experience I

The Orphan: The Color of Experience II

The Orphan: The Color of Experience III

The Orphan: The Color of Experience IV

The Orphan: The Color of Experience V

The Orphan: The Color of Experience VI

I Know You Love Me

At Twenty-Five

Fall Person

Sax

Times Like These

Racial Injustice

A Picture Rockwell Never Painted

Family Reunion

Five On The Black Hand Side

Safe Space

Builders Of Nations

Seoul II: Progress

The Visitor

In The Valley Of The Three Peaks

At The Water’s Edge

View From The Mezzanine

The Trolley

In The Cool Of The Twilight

Down At The Seaside

Convenient To Ignore . . . Hard To Forget

A Poem Is Like . . .

You Deserve A Medal

Prince Of The City

On My Way Home

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my friend and mentor, Jerome Manigan.

For over 45 years, Jerome has always been a source of inspiration to me. I have treasured the creative experiences we shared at Xavier University (1979 to 1981), and beyond. I appreciated that he willingly shared his time, ideas, and advice with me. Unknowingly, he has provided me with many insights, motivations, and inspirations that have driven me to continue to write and publish my work. When we first met, I had written approximately fifty poems, and a couple of short stories. I am sure that I would not have written, or published, over six hundred poems, which has resulted in seven previously published volumes of poetry, and the inspiration and encouragement to write a novel based on my experiences. I am blessed to have known him, and I thank him for his inspiration and friendship.

Poetry

like music

poetry can make you feel

it makes you smile

it makes you laugh

feel sad, or cry

like the tears from a pealed onion

poetry can take you

anywhere and everywhere

to memory, or a time

or a place

a time when life was so simple

it can take you to a person

a conversation

or an emotion

poetry can lift the human spirit

it can give one hope

where there was none

it can increase cultural awareness

whether contemporary

or historical

poetry can open new ways

and new paths

to express ourselves

in a way that cannot be done

with everyday words

poetry can teach us

the art of creative expression

it can give people an improved ability

to understand one another

poetry can give you power

the power to understand . . .

to understand others

as well as yourself

Pollination

when a poet

poets

to another

poet

many poems

pass through the garden

of imagination

dropping pollen

like bees in flowers . . .

thoughts

words

phases

giving life

to new poems

We Are . . .

we are . . .

the beholder of ideas the

witnesses of legends

tellers of dreams

when we commune with nature

we become sapient tellers

of the unknown

we are . . .

the gate keepers

of the unverifiable myth . . .

enchanted travelers all

we are

the winged carriers of truth