An AGATES Book of Poetry
by James Troy Turner
Be prepared to look at the depths of the heart and beliefs of a man who loves his friends and family, his country and his God. These pieces of honest, heartfelt verse express disappointments and hopes, doubts and faith, failures and successes. If you have ever loved and lost, struggled to make ends meet and make sense of life … especially if you remember the era of the Vietnam War, of which Mr. Turner is a veteran … then it’s likely you will relate to feelings expressed in these poems.
ISBN 9780989101462
Paperback, 110 pgs., 5″ x 8″
$9.99
READER REVIEWS:
“Metered rhyme that is sometimes emotional, sometimes whimsical, but always thoughtful…easy to read and contains moments of genuine poetic beauty….The panoply of human emotion is there; forgiveness, loneliness, awe of nature, and the bittersweet memory of unrequited love—all of the things poets write and the rest of us read because they express them for us.” –Jeff Rice, Journal-Advocate, Sterling, Colorado
“Reading [these poems], you can’t help but notice the honesty, faith, and immediacy expressed in the rhythmic, often rhyming lines. …fresh, unpretentious insight … humor … vulnerability and an active mind.” –Mary Harwell Sayler, poet, author, and blogger at The Poetry Editor and Poetry
“Troy has a unique poetic voice. In a rustic way, these poems are quite powerful. My favorite ones are ‘Looking Into You’ and ‘God.'” –Beverly Coons, poetry aficionado and retired English teacher
“These poems are simple, clear, straightforward, heartfelt, thoughtful, patriotic, deep, warm and engaging. Reading James Troy Turner is like having a conversation with a good friend. I highly recommend his poems!” –Jeff Moore, pastor and poet
ABOUT THE POET:
James Troy Turner (1949-2022) wrote poems most of his life, jotting them down as they came to him, on notebook paper, in journals, sometimes even on napkins. In his unique voice, with touches of both pathos and humor, his poetry expresses a working man’s struggles, longings, and affirmations of family, country, love, friendship, and faith.
Troy (as he was known to friends and family) was born in 1949 to parents who moved state to state following the harvest of various fruits. Troy attended many schools and struggled with academics. However, at Woodlin High School in northeast Colorado, one inspiring teacher instilled in him the desire to write. After graduation he joined the U.S. Navy and served in the Mediterranean on the USS Canisteo during the Vietnam War. After military service, Troy attended Denver Automotive and Diesel College. He was known as a straight shooter and a generous man who, in spite of many hard knocks, appreciated life and loved God. In retirement, he lived on the northeastern plains of Colorado with his service dog, PJ.
SAMPLE POEMS:
LOOKING INTO YOU
Look into the still, cool stream,
mind wandering, wandering, wandering.
Look into your rambling soul.
My friend, where will the venture
bring your conscious mind?—
Deep into the dark pit
of subconscious meditation
till you stand freely,
unmoving, unfeeling, unknowing.
You may stay in this world of the dead
if you wish,
willing never to return.
But don’t stay.
Go to the sun instead: shining, gleaming,
showing the way to others
who stand with you at their side.
SNOWFLAKES
I watch the snowflakes as they fall;
They hit the ground and fade away,
So soft and gentle as they touch;
So dry, a tear holds twice as much.
Beautiful to see, so fragile to hold,
No tears could ever be so cold.