About the Contributors

Dale Smith is 43 years old, married, with 4 children (3 boys, ages 22, 19, and 14; and a baby girl, 2). "I became
interested in writing poetry when I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 1998. It was own my therapy. 
Before becoming disabled, I was a football and wrestling coach for my own children and at the local high school
in the small town where I lived. After going through a divorce and a couple of years of severe depression, I 
found a renewed strength in my new wife, Debi. Don't try to argue with her though, you can't win! The poem in 
this issue was one of the first I wrote. I wrote it for my father when he was diagnosed with cancer 4 years ago, 
which took his life in a very short time."

Bentley Snow Davis lives, writes, teaches, and loves in a small town on Maine's coast. "I believe that poetry 
and spirituality are both intensely personal while also managing to bridge differences between each of us.  
They serve to build community while maintaining individuality."

Rebecca Schulthess currently resides in Central Wisconsin. "I have been writing poetry for 15 years. Most
of my early poems I threw away, as they were used as a healing tool or for venting. The poems I write are 
of venting or expressing thoughts I cannot speak. My poems fall in each end of the spectrum - some uplifting,
some depressing - but all of them come from the heart."

Shawntaye Scott currently resides in the Pittsburgh area. "I have been writing poetry for the last seven years. 
Poetry allows me to express myself creatively and I also use it as a form of therapy sometimes. Writing about
spiritual nature is soothing to my heart and mind." Her work has appeared in online journals such as Timbooktu, 
Holler Newsletter, The Writers Crib, and NubianMindz.

Tolu Ogunlesi was born in 1982 in Edinburgh to Nigerian parents, and lives in Nigeria. He graduated in
pharmacy from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. He is the author of a collection of poetry, Listen To The Geckos
Singing From A Balcony (Jacobyte Books, Australia, October 2003).

Christina La Torre lives in London, UK. She is a poet and artist. "About six months ago I left my full-time job. 
I left behind many things, and I am still in the process of letting go of much that does not serve me, I am living 
simply, every day trying to shed more....I believe in Love and more Love always. We are Love....I am 
becoming who I truly am."

Brenton Miers started writing poetry many years ago after having a dream, an experience, beyong all 
compare. "I for one moment felt more love than one could imagine, and yes a feeling of child like joy and awe."
This moment was so beautiful, magical and very spiritual, a moment I wanted to hold for ever, a moment I
still cherish, a moment where I became one with god and all that is.  I have now an understanding and for 
the first time in my life see the beauty in all things. I was touched, and I am thankful. There is a god and there 
is more in life than life itself, and there is an answer."