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Power of Poems Defies Age Limits An Experiment in Senior Poetry

The new, short poems in Marlys Marshall Styne's "Elder Expectation: My Life in Rictameters" feature many realities and concerns of elder life. Seven sections include "On Aging,"Writing and Reading,"Months and Weeks,"Weather and the Seasons,"Duties and Routines,"Activities and Pastimes," and "Observations and Reflections." These poems may inspire you to try writing your own. The form can be addictive!

The rictameter is a relatively new poetic form, somewhat similar to haiku. It contains nine unrhymed lines, with 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 8, 6, 4, and 2 syllables, and the first and last lines must be identical. Ms. Styne explains that as she wrote these poems, at first as a way to cope with the dreary month of March, 2008, they began to tell the story of her life as a seventy-five-year-old retiree and widow.

As she has in her earlier books, Styne promotes writing of all kinds for seniors who want or need to share their experience and wisdom. Writing can lead to self-discovery, healing, reinvention, and enjoyment, and "Elder Expectations" adds another option, poetry, with many inspiring examples. It provides a quick, easy read to return to again and again.

About the Author

Marlys Marshall Styne, who earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota, taught composition and literature at Wilbur Wright College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, for forty years before retiring in 1999. When her husband died shortly after her retirement, she lifted herself out of depression by rediscovering the power of writing. Her first book was "Reinventing Myself: Memoirs of a Retired Professor" (Infinity Publishing 2006); her second was "Seniorwriting: A Brief Guide for Seniors Who Want to Write" (Infinity Publishing 2007). Both books received first place awards in their respective categories in the 2007 and 2008 Illinois Woman's Press Association Mate E. Palmer Communications Contests. Styne also writes two blogs, "Never Too Late!" and "Write Your Life!" and a column about writing for the eGenerations web site.

"Elder Expectations: My Life in Rictameters" (ISBN 9781435717718, Lulu Publishing 2008) can be purchased through Lulu.com and online book stores. Review copies are available from the author.

Contact Information: MARLYS MARSHALL STYNE

www.seniorwriter.blogspot.com

312 664 2219

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