This book has been a labor of love. Many of the poems were written in the early 1990s and others were written more recently. My life and the lives of other individuals, whether I know them or not, helped me tap into my creative energy and the words began to flow. So many conversations, stories, situations, experiences, hopes and dreams over the years became the backdrop for this book. Finally Spoken - Creative Voice, Loud & Proud represents an opportunity to share thoughts and circumstances that cross our minds, but thoughts and circumstances some may be too afraid to speak.