My Life In Poetry

“My Life In Poetry” expresses the love of a woman, Joan Carol Conrad, for her family, friends, and life through heartfelt passionate poetry. The poems reflect her feelings, of love and hatred, toward her parents and siblings, as well as a deep endearing love for her children and friends. This poetry was used as a release from the burdens Joan carried, resulting from a tormented childhood due to parent neglect and sibling abuse. Joan’s passion for the elusive, “perfect love”, although never achieved, was always deep within her spirit. Joan’s poetry is timeless, emotional, and profound.

Joan Carol Conrad was born on Halloween 1935, in Cleveland Ohio. Her parents were Helen Maxine Reiter and Emery Dial Payne. She was a wonderfully diverse individual with the attitude that there was nothing she couldn't accomplish. She was the strongest, most independent person I have ever known. She was a poet, artist, carpenter and so much more.... Mother of three, the true loves of her life, her children were her driving force. She literally built their home with her own two hands. She rode Harley Davidson motorcycles in her youth and again at the end of her life. As an abused child, she left home at seventeen, during the 1950's when leaving home was not an option. Her father loved his children, especially his "Petunia", but loved his alcohol more. Her mother was a self-absorbed hypochondriac and more concerned with her medications than feeding, protecting or caring for her children. Joan had three brothers. The oldest died at ten days. She adored the youngest and protected him from the day he was born. They were inseparable until the day she died. Her older brother tormented and tortured her, so she learned to be strong. She would say, "My strength was forged in my youth, like steel in the bowels of Hell". She loved deeply and sacrificed greatly.