Poems from the Sea of Life

About the Book

Poems from The Sea of Life is a collection of forty poems written by Richard Michael Simmons and published posthumously. This first poetry book contains poems and is part one of a collection of 170 poems written from 1959-1987.

These poems capture the emotions and themes of life and their interrelationship with nature. The theme of nature and sea manifest itself in Richard's writings from the inspiration of his life's experiences at sea, the dignity and respect of nature, and the social injustices of mankind during the times in which he lived. His message - adorned with the rhythm of alliteration and the metaphor of the soul - is for all times and all seasons.

The art of the written word is not lost on, "the ordinary man who lives by the creative spirit, thinks in images, and dreams in fantasy . . . trying to escape the business of the everyday world." Walt Whitman.

Cover: Journey #55, acrylic on canvas, by Rick Rivet

About the Author

The life of Richard Michael Simmons was only fifty years long. He died after a brief illness in 1988 leaving behind no legacy other than a small suitcase full of handwritten poems composed over the years. In that time, Richard filled pages of legal pads, envelopes, and time sheets with over 200 poems, essays, and songs whenever circumstances compelled him to put his thoughts into words and fulfill the need for expression. The Beat Generation poets in the 50's, the Beatles in the 60's, Pink Floyd in the 70's, and Billy Graham in the 80's greatly influenced him.

Richard was a fourth generation Texan, born and died in Dallas, Texas. However during his years in the U.S. Navy, Richard traveled extensively and continued his love affair with the sea - the reoccurring theme of his poems - in the Caribbean and crossing the Atlantic Ocean through Straits of Gibraltar to the Mediterranean Sea and in his beloved Boston and Charleston and Mexico. By profession, he was a social worker, teacher, and seaman, but in his heart he was always a poet.