Artifacts of My Past

in this lonely life
we have choices and hindsight;
use both with caution

I realized today that September 20th has had a strange, if random, importance in the last several year of my life.

September 20, 2001: I receive my first issue of Luther College Chips, the student newspaper that would be an important part of my intellectual development at Luther. I regularly wrote letters to the editor which culminated in having my own column senior year.

September 20, 2004: I write an essay about a day in my life, reflecting on my time at Luther College and what life is like as a young gay man in America today.

September 20, 2006: I (self) publish my first book. Artifacts is a collection of poetry and essays written over the last 5 years. Although my poetic endeavors have waned more recently, I wrote over 500 poems on life, love, and loss during that time. This book contains all of my favorites. Also included are my Chips columns and the essay from September 20, 2004. Artifacts is available in either paperback or as a digital download. Click here for a preview.

From the back cover:
These covers contain selections of poetry and essays from the last five years. All the memory-filled pages in-between are but a part of the stories we lived those years, but we’ll always have these artifacts to remind us that sometimes the past is but a prelude to a better world. Take care of these pensive poetics; they contain my inner truth. Guide them into the future for they are the artifacts of my past. My future awaits, and I will seek out new artifacts to explore. Until then, my past is right here, literally an open book.

This book is two years in the making. It began as a gift for some of my close friends at graduation. I now offer it up to you. I hope you enjoy these Artifacts and find what inspiration you may from their depths.

life is rated R;
we’re all just little children
sneaking in to see

come on in and take a peak!