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From the Quinpinnacles Press Bookshelf:

Soul Tremors

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Recently Published by Quinpinnacles Press


Sosul Tremors coverSoul Tremors
AND OTHER POEMS

by Randall L. Green

Paperback: 39 pages
Quinpinnacles Press (April 5, 2018)
ISBN 13: 978-1-947415-01-0
Price: U.S $5.95




From the Author's Preface

ALTHOUGH I have made a living as a writer for half a century. I write verse only on occasions—sometimes because I feel emotionally compelled to do so, but mostly for the sheer joy of it. This little book is a collection of assorted poems with assorted themes written in a variety of styles and genres over the course of several decades.

The first selection in this book, “A Poet’s Invocation,” I wrote initially as part of a school assignment. It was the first stanza in a four-stanza poem entitled “Advent of Man” submitted in lieu of a required 20-page term research paper for an upper division literature class after the professor stated categorically that no contemporary writer could successfully write within the constraints of the Spencerian Stanza. I took that as a challenge and took a chance submitting it in fulfillment of an assignment that would con-stitute half of the grade for the course, but the professor gave me an A on the paper and an A in the class. The second through fourth stanzas of “Advent of Man” (not include in this collection) were sub-sequently published in a national magazine in January 1970.

Some of these poems, such as “The Soul of a Poet” and the title poem, “Soul Tremors,” I wrote be-cause I felt moved to do so. Others, such as “Pseudo-Profundity, a Parody,” “An Old Leather Shoe,” and “Conjugational Blitz,” I wrote just for the fun of it, and I hope the reader will enjoy them in that same spirit.

A few of the poems in this book, along with some others not included here, were previously published in 1983 in a small limited-edition booklet for private distribution under the title Advent of Man and other Poems.

I have also included in this collection a couple of song lyrics—one a just-for-fun country ballad and the other a straight-from-the-heart romantic ballad. This ought to provide enough variety that there should be something in this slender volume for just about everyone to critique.

I can anticipate at least some of the criticisms. I realize that much of my poetry is too old fashioned for some people’s tastes or sensibilities. Others may part company with me on philosophical grounds. Still others will say of some of my pieces, “That’s too flowery,” or of other pieces, “That’s not even poetry; it’s just verse.”

If it were visual rather than verbal, they would say, “He’s not an artist; he’s just an illustrator.” As serious poet John Barr, former president of the Poetry Foundation and a writer whose work I deep-ly enjoy, wrote of less-than-literary verse:

It’s not just snobbery. People who care about their poetry often experience genuine feelings of em-barrassment, even revulsion, when confronted with cowboy poetry, rap and hip-hop, and children’s poetry not written by “adult” poets. Their readerly sensibilities are offended. (If the writing gives them any pleasure, it is a guilty pleasure.)

Some poetry critics would expand considerably the range of forms they deem offensive beyond the few mentioned by Barr.

Be assured you will find no rap or hip-hop here. I did write a piece once called “Christmas Rap,” but I chose not to include it in this collection because people who care about their rap would be as genuinely embarrassed by it as the sophisticated non-snobs Barr referred to are embarrassed by something as light, on the one hand, as “On Account of You Left Me” (page 30) or as heavy, on the other hand, as “Soul Tremors” (page 2).

I understand all of that, and I don’t expect everything I write to appeal to everyone. I can’t think of a better response to that reality than the last stanza of “Conjugational Blitz” (page 40):

Since I write, then I wrote what I’ve written,
And for that, perhaps ought to be smitten.
But don’t beg me to stop.
I’ll resist till I drop.
         Yes, I’ll fight till I fote and have fitten.

People can choose to be embarrassed when they read light verse such as that if they wish, or they can just have fun with it.

My motive for putting this collection together is simple: There are some people who enjoy my poems and wanted me to put some of them into a format that they could share with their friends. Brave souls. By whatever means this volume may have come into your hands—whether as a gift, a loan, or a purchase—I hope as you read through it you will find at least some things in it that will cause you to smile or even laugh, and perhaps something here and there that may strike a responsive chord or elicit a sympathetic nod.

Also, if I may suggest: keep in mind that most poetry is best appreciated when read aloud. I think you will find that to be true with some of these. Try it with the title poem.

—Randall L. Green
January 21, 2018



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Sample pages from
Soul Tremors and Other Poems
by Randall L. Green
for your reading enjoyment

Soul Tremors page 2

Soul Tremors page 3

Soul Tremors page 4

Soul Tremors page 5

Soul Tremors page 6

Soul Tremors page 7

Soul Tremors page 9

Soul Tremors page 24

Soul Tremors page 25

Soul Tremors page 26

Soul Tremors page 27



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