It's quite often that during the course of a normal conversation with people I encounter they are quite astonished to discover that I write poetry and that some of my works have been published.
I guess my tall, rough, Mr. Clean looking exterior does not lend credence to the softer, sensitive, compassionate sides of Michael.
Once over their initial surprise the very first question usually asked is how I began writing poetry...and then invariably their second question is where I find my inspiration.
I'm happy to share the remarkable story with you all, however, allow me a brief narrative about myself so you can appreciate why it is write and where the ability to paint vivid pictures in the readers mind with words comes from.
Currently, I am 59 years old. I live in the middle portion of Delaware, I have previously lived in Southern California, Northern Michigan, San Antonio Texas Chicago, Illinois and North Eastern Maryland. I am a PADI Certified Dive Master, Rescue Diver, Advanced Open Water Diver and Open Water Diver. I am a PADI Certified Emergency First Responder, which includes, Primary First Aid, Secondary First aid, CPR, AED and Oxygen Provider.
I hold two intermediate Belts in American Kenpo Karate and have won trophies for tournament, full contact point fighting. I have been employed as a (SCUBA) PADI Dive Master, Bouncer, Mentor, Body Guard and Personal Security Consultant.
I am a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) and Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). I am currently employed as a Sr. Upgrade Engineer (networks) for a Medical Device Manufacturer in the support of PACS ( Picture Archiving & Communications System ) and Medical Imagining devices. I have been in the Information Technology industry for over Forty years now and I love working with leading edge technology. While this is what I do for a living , I have several hobbies that I enjoy out side of my professional career. (you'll get a glimpse of some of them on this site)
My true passion, my inner voice however, is writing poetry. My exposure to poetry began through a chance meeting with an "Angel"
The angel in this case was one Mrs. Angel, Sophomore literature teacher at Kalkaska High School, Kalkaska, MI. One day, Mrs. Angel picked me to read a passage from a poem we were reading as a class (Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken"). I stood and read the passage aloud. When I had finished reading, Mrs. Angel asked me Mike, can you tell me what you think the author was trying to say through his writing of this poem"? Having no choice, I offered my interpretation of the poem. Mrs. Angel could not hide the surprise on her face. It turns out that my explanation on what I thought the author was trying to say, was right on the money. As a class we were then assigned, to write a poem about what we felt when we read the Robert Frost poem. I wrote my poem (my first ever) and turned it in as assigned. The next day as class began, to my surprise and embarrassment, Mrs. Angel called me up to the front of the class and asked me to recite my poem verbally.
Before I began to recite the poem however, Mrs. Angel told the class, that out of all the poems submitted, mine was the one to grasp the true spirit of the message the author was trying to convey. At the end of class Mrs. Angel asked me to stay. This is when Mrs. Angel told me she believed I had a gift (the first to tell me so) for not only writing poetry but being able to understand the deeper underlying meaning of the poems. A rare talent according to her. She added that without knowing it I had recited the Robert Frost poem in perfect rhythm with the correct accentuation and pauses exactly where they should be in each of the stanzas. I didn't know any better, I had just let the words sing to me and read them as I felt them. Mrs. Angel asked me if I would write another poem but this time she wanted me to write one drawing from personal experiences.
I wrote the poem trying very hard to be like the Poets we were reading in class. Immediately upon reading my poem Mrs. Angel pulled me to the side. She realized I had sacrificed my own style trying to be like the poets we were studying. She said to me, "Do not sacrifice your poetry, your feelings and emotions trying to conform to another persons point of view or what you think they want to hear,
Be yourself, let your emotions guide you as you write what you feel. Always be true to who you are as a person. Write the poem as if you are the only one who will read it and do not concern yourself with what others will think of your poem. Write firstly for yourself and always remain true to that inner voice".
Well, over the next two years I continued to write and Mrs. Angel continued to encourage me ( right up until she lost her battle with cancer ) even speaking on my behalf to other teachers asking them to allow me class time to write. I never forgot the wisdom of that first advice or the guidance and encouragement she had provided to me and I never will. A very special lady who recognized potential in another human being and fostered it, encouraging it to grow like a beautiful flower. She was my sustenance, both rain and sunshine. Thank you Mrs. Angel. I shall always endeavor to remember all you taught me and I promise to stay true to myself and write what I feel in the very core of my being. You were my Original Inspiration and to this day you still remain my guiding light.
I don't believe you ever realized just how fitting your name was...but I certainly do. Rest in peace my angelic teacher, enjoy your time with all the celebrated poets that have gone before us and please,...say hi to Mr. Frost for me.
Forever your student, Michael J. Stankewitz
(MJS)